Could Chris Hughton turn to Bruno with Albion in a tight spot?

The Seagulls boss has done it twice before in the past ten months.

The captain, not in the 18 for the last two league games and out of contract in the summer, was brought back late last season with the Seagulls wobbling.

Recalled in the wake of the 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace, he helped secure draws with Tottenham and Burnley followed by the 1-0 win at home to Manchester United.

Earlier this season, he was called in after a tough September and helped in a trio of 1-0 wins, against West Ham and Wolves as well as at Newcastle.

That is not a slight on Martin Montoya, who is finding his way in the Premier League and recently earned praise from Glenn Murray.

Hughton appears to be looking to the future at right-back which is understandable.

But that very future could hinge in the longer term on what happens in the coming weeks.

Bruno appeared in the BT Sport studio to talk about his lack of playing time in the league on Saturday.

He said: “It’s difficult. You want to play and, when you are competitive, you are training hard and trying to give your best.

“It’s hard to not play but I have to help the boys from outside now sometimes and that is what I try to do.

“The way I know to knock on his (Hughton’s) door is trying to play good when I’ve got the chance and every day in training sessions.

“That’s the only way you can do your job.

“Even if you are talking to him, after he will demand that you prove you are ready.”

Selection for the FA Cup tie against Derby, be it at right-back or other positions, will not have much bearing on the next league game at Leicester, which follows ten days later.

But would it be a huge shock to see Bruno involved at the King Power and Montoya start back at the Amex?