Manchester City are indirectly helping ensure Albion get a decent grounding ahead of the Premier League opener.

And a nemesis of the Seagulls might just play a part in the process too.

The Girona side the Seagulls face this evening has been reinforced by investment from City.

They have also been helping the Catalan side tune up for their first ever top-flight season.

City are set to take over as owners of Girona, who were promoted as runners-up last term.

Pere Guardiola, brother of Pep, played a big part in the deal and retains an advisory role with Girona.

City have helped finance a summer recruitment drive which currently stands at seven players.

Perhaps the two best known to Albion fans will be former Middlesbrough duo Bernardo Espinosa in defence and Cristhian Stuani further forward.

Stuani’s close-range strike at the Riverside on the final day of the 2015-16 season ultimately denied Albion automatic promotion as their ten men were held to a 1-1 draw.

City will also loan them young players including Douglas Luiz, their recent signing from Brazil, although that is not likely to be in time for tonight’s run-out in Palamos.

Girona have just returned from a camp at City’s training facilities, during which they played two friendlies.

They lost 2-1 at Nottingham Forest having led, then won 2-1 at Oldham.

Tonight’s game is by no means the showpiece event of their build-up to the season.

City themselves are due in town for the Trofeo Costa Brava three days after their trip to the Amex.

Promotion fever has seen Girona sell a record 8,800 season ticket and their stadium is currently being upgraded.

One familiar face Albion fans making the trip will not see is Fran Sandaza.

The former Seagulls centre-forward has been loaned out to Al-Ahli of Qatar for the final year of his contract, very much against his wishes.

In a farewell letter to fans via Twitter, he wrote: “I only hope the players being brought in feel the same about this badge and this shirt as I do.”

If they do, it can only help Albion get the tough workout they want less than a fortnight from facing Girona’s new parent club.