Albion boss Chris Hughton's instructions to Beram Kayal at Bolton tomorrow might just include making sure the home technical area is a blind spot for the influential Israeli midfielder.

The trip to the Macron Stadium will be a reminder for Kayal of the strong bond he had with Wanderers manager Neil Lennon at Celtic.

He thrived under the fiery Lennon's leadership north of the border, just as he is now with the more composed Hughton's Seagulls.

Lennon signed Kayal for Celtic within weeks of becoming full-time manager following a period in caretaker charge.

Kayal said: "I liked him as a manager and a man. I had a great time with him. He took me from Maccabi Haifa to Celtic. We are still in touch.

"It's hard for me now to play against him but hopefully we'll give them a tough match. I am looking forward to meeting him there and to enjoy the game."

Kayal's spell with Lennon included scoring a winning goal in the Champions League against Ajax. Injuries eventually caught up with him in Glasgow and, once Lennon departed, his successor Ronny Deila appeared not to rate the 27-year-old quite as highly.

He had been on Hughton's radar at Norwich and Albion bought him in January, seeing off late interest from Lennon.

Kayal is enjoying life just as much with the contrasting character he now works for on the south coast.

He said of Hughton: "He has helped me already, trying to make me a better player, working on our personality as a team. He also gives you freedom to think what you can best bring to the game.

"I'm pleased to play for two good managers, Neil Lennon and now Chris Hughton.

"Sometimes when you are not getting on well with the manager it is tough for you as a player. I am lucky to have two managers I have been happy to to work with and they've been happy to work with me as well."

The £325,000 fee Albion paid for Kayal looks a steal now. He has always been highly regarded - Manchester United and Liverpool were linked during his early flourish at Celtic - but injuries have plagued his career.

He has broken a foot, an ankle, a wrist, had stomach surgery three times and a groin operation.

After rebuilding his fitness with Albion last season and through the summer, the modest Kayal is shining. He has played every minute of the Championship leaders' eight unbeaten league games.

"I prefer others to hand out compliments," he said. "I just want to work hard for the team and do the best for my club.

"I am happy to play every game. I know I can bring more and more for myself and for the club.

"I was struggling last season with injuries and when I was playing it was for 70-80 minutes.

"Now I'm playing 90 in every game, I have a lot of things to achieve for myself and for the club as well."

Kayal will link up in the centre of the park again tomorrow with Bolton-born Dale Stephens, a partnership which has developed into one of the best in the Championship since the latter's recovery from long-term ankle damage.

Kayal said: "We played a few games last season when Dale was coming back. I think we have done well from the beginning of the season. I enjoy playing with him.

"We have Incey (Rohan Ince) and Jake (Forster-Caskey) as well, so we have good players in the midfield area. At the moment me and Dale are playing and we are focused to do well for the club. I'm happy that at the moment it's working well."

While Forster-Caskey launches his month on loan to MK Dons against Derby tomorrow, Kayal and international team-mate Tomer Hemed, providing he recovers from hamstring tightness, will be trying to help Albion maintain their eyecatching start.

It included an instant goal for Kayal at Huddersfield which earned a point. Hemed, five-goal leading marksman, predicts there is more to come from his close friend and colleague.

"Beram can score goals but he never thinks about it during a game," said Hemed.

"First he does what he needs to do to help the team. Usually it's not his job to score but this season, if we keep playing like this, he will get more chances.

"This season already we have seen Beram has good quality and can shoot and score. I know it."

So do Lennon and Hughton.