Swans striker Guillem Bauza may have hit the national headlines last season after revealing he was combining his football career with life as a medical student, but the Spaniard knows where his priorities are.

Bussy, as he's better known, is currently in the second part-time year of a Medical Genetics course at Swansea University.

But the former Espanyol and Spanish Under-20 international is ready to put his long-term ambitions of becoming a doctor on hold if the Swans reach the Championship play-off finals at Wembley on May 22.

For the day before the biggest one-off game in the world, with a prize of up to £60m awaiting the winner, Bussy has an important chemistry exam!

"I couldn't believe it when the exam dates came out,'' explained Bussy, who is already a qualified teacher back home in Spain.

"It's an important exam. I've asked if they can postpone it for me, but they said it's not possible.''

While the 25-year-old is "frustrated" over the clash, there is only going to be one winner if it's a choice of walking out at Wembley in a plush new suit or sporting a white coat and a Bunsen burner in the chemistry lab.

"If I'm honest, I hope I have to miss the exam because it means we've reached the final,'' added Bussy.

And having had to endure a nightmare start to the season Bussy, who is out of contract at the end of the current campaign, is hoping to play a major role in ensuring the Swans make a grandstand finish.

Having undergone an ankle operation in the summer, his rehabilitation didn't progress as quickly as he would have liked during pre-season training.

"I thought by having the ankle operation in the summer I would be ready to make a good start to the season,'' he added. "But my comeback didn't happen as easy as I thought.''

But having forced his way into the reckoning for a start against Brighton in the Carling Cup back in August, his hopes of a regular place under new boss Paulo Sousa were shattered when he broke down with a knee cartilage injury that, apart from a brief appearance at Sheffield Wednesday in December, kept him sidelined for over five months.

"When a new manager is without you for five months it means he formulates a strong group without you. He believes in that group of players and it's hard to break back in.''

Having finally battled his way back to fitness, Bussy finally earned the right to join the group when he was handed a place on the bench for the visit of Peterborough to the Liberty on February 27.

"When you are out for so long, it's only natural that your confidence is lower because you may not be at the right level.

"There was also speculation around Christmas time of me leaving; but I was always determined to work hard and fight for my place. I knew it was going to be a long, hard season and the gaffer would need all the squad.''

Those lingering doubts were wiped away when the defining moment arrived at QPR last Saturday when he made his first league start in over a year, setting up Nathan Dyer for Swansea's opening goal in a 1-1 draw.

That was followed with another start against Blackpool on Tuesday, but the less said about that result the better.

"He has worked hard and always believed in himself,'' confirmed Swans boss Paulo Sousa after the game. "He played well.

"He is a smart, intelligent player who understands the task we want him to perform.''

All of a sudden, all the hard work and frustrating weeks seemed worthwhile.

"It's been a really tough season for me,'' he added. "But I think the experience has made me a stronger person.

"Having overcome all the disadvantages and difficulties I've had this season, it's made me understand that if I believe in myself then I will get my rewards.

"I understand that football can change from one day to the next. If you play well and score a few important goals, everybody loves you. If you get an injury or lose your place then you can be nobody.

"But it's one more life experience to draw on. I'm happy about that and I will try to enjoy the rest of the season and, hopefully, play my part in helping the Swans secure a place in the play-offs.''

Bussy is used to making a big finish though. Having scored 11 league and cup goals in his first season at the Liberty Stadium (2007-08), he finished with a brace in the 2-1 win at Gillingham that clinched promotion to the Championship.

"Sometimes the season doesn't go the way you planned. I was hoping to make a big impact at the start, but that didn't happen. Hopefully it will happen at the end of the season instead.

"If it goes the same way as the League One promotion campaign then I'll be more than happy.

"With all the injuries we've got at the moment, hopefully I can offer a bit of strength to the squad. I hope I can make a difference.''

Whether that comes as a striker or as a midfielder, as was the case at Loftus Road, Bussy doesn't mind.

"I enjoy football. I enjoy learning about all the positions, so I don't mind where I play.

"I played everywhere for the national team when I was younger (he represented Spain at Under-16, 17 and under-20 level), even at right-back. Also in midfield for Espanyol.''

It was during his time in Spain that he got to play alongside Liverpool's £27m striker Fernando Torres as the national Under-16 team clinched the European Championships.

"We were room-mates,'' recalled Bussy. "We'd not only play up-front together, we'd watch TV together, listen to music together and played Playstation together.

"We'd always play Pro Evolution Soccer and I'd beat him a lot. But because I'm a good friend, I'd let him win sometimes!"

He also started all three games for Spain in the Under-20 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.

Other Spanish youth teammates included Barcelona's Champions League-winning playmaker Andres Iniesta. And while he was learning his trade at Mallorca, he also played and trained alongside Cameroon star and Champions League winner with Barcelona, Samuel Eto'o.

Who knows, Bussy may be lining up against Torres in the Premier League next season if Swansea achieve their ultimate dream.

"I'm sure we will be on the same wages as well,'' he joked.

And I bet Torres won't be worrying about missing a chemistry exam either!

So here's wishing the 'Good Doctor' luck.