Martin Montoya has revealed the forward planning which has left him one step from a career after playing.

But the Albion right-back has his immediate sights on more Premier League outings as he finds his way in a new country.

Montoya is the man in possession for now after returning to the team at Cardiff City.

Bruno will be a strong contender to return against Leicester City on Saturday.

But, fitness permitting, it appears both men will have their chance to shine in the coming weeks.

That is based largely on what happened this time last year, when summer signing Ezequiel Schelotto got his first chances at right-back when Bruno was rested as the fixture list became more hectic.

With Schelotto seemingly still out of favour, Bruno has been keen for competition and support at right-back when the games come thick and fast.

Montoya, a man with whom he has a lot in common, will provide that.

Both come from hard-working families in Catalonia – Bruno the son of a doctor, Montoya the son of a lorry driver.

And the latter revealed that explains why he has been one project away from securing university qualifications throughout a career which has taken in Barcelona, Valencia, Inter, Betis, the Olympics and now Albion.

He told The Argus: “I kept studying when I was at Barca B.

“I did a baccalaureate (similar to A-levels from the age of 16).

“When I was 18 I started a university course in physical education.

”I did three years but even today I still haven’t finished a final project we had to do.

“When I moved away to join Valencia I stopped doing it.

“But it is something I can still pick up again and do that one part and then it’s all done.

“Since I was little I was always told it is important to study because you never know what can happen.

“I was at Barca B but I didn’t know if I’d end up as a professional footballer or if I would fall by the wayside.

“I didn’t know if I would have that luck to succeed.

“My parents had always told me to keep studying and I did that.

“A lot of players in that situation, as a young player at Barca, did not do that.

“You feel like you have got the world at your feet.

“The majority don’t have another career, don’t go to university.

“You are in this world of football, you are well known – already quite famous in Barcelona. You don’t want to do it.

“I kept going because of what my parents told me but also because it was something I really wanted to do.

The Argus:

“When I finish football, I will have something which helps me, for example, work as fitness coach within football.

“But I haven’t really thought yet about exactly what I want to do after playing.”

Montoya has been learning a lot about English football and life in this country since arriving late in the summer transfer window.

A run of six successive starts was kicked off with his part in the win over Manchester United.

But Bruno came back and shone in three successive winning clean sheets which revitalised Albion’s season.

One area where Bruno has proved adept down the years is covering the far post when balls come in from the Albion left.

That could be with a subtle chest back to the keeper or simply taking up the space the opponent really wants to attack.

His efforts to do just enough when big Federico Fernandez closed in for a far-post header at Newcastle left him nursing a painful back but played a part in a precious away win.

For all his hugely popular qualities, that aspect of defending was one in which predecessor Inigo Calderon never totally convinced.

Schelotto was found wanting at Crystal Palace last season.

The same lesson will have been learnt by Montoya after his return at Cardiff. He found himself up against battering ram Callum Paterson as Cardiff tried to find a way back into the game.

And, while Albion were out of luck with Kadeem Harris’s cross flicked off Gaetan Bong, Montoya surely needed to be stronger – or better positioned – as Paterson then headed in.

He was caught out at the Etihad when Leroy Sane sent a header into the ground and up over the bar.

They are lessons to be learnt – and the chance to put them into practice will come.

Bruno said: ”It’s not a problem. He is an intelligent player.”

And a willing learner. He has been proving that since those teenage years at La Masia.