The 23-year-od Spaniard, a £4.7million acquisition from Real Mallorca, was thrown straight into the starting line-up for Tuesday's Carling Cup second round trip to Hartlepool just hours after his international clearance came through.

One hundred and twenty gruelling minutes later, the newcomer trudged off the pitch at Victoria Park having been brought quickly up to speed with English football and its capacity for cup shocks.

But Mowbray was at least able to console himself with the knowledge that Valero had made his first appearance for his new club.

He said: "It was an interesting game for him. It would have got him up to speed with the English game very, very quickly.

"He took a few, as all our players did, heavy challenges - but there is nothing in the rules that says you are not allowed to tackle and be physical, so good luck to Hartlepool. It will be a good learning curve for him very quickly in his career."