Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan believes Dubliner Richard Dunne will bounce back following a disappointing performance against Arsenal at Maine Road on Saturday.
The Ireland defender's lack of pace was badly exposed during the 5-1 defeat and he was substituted at half-time.
"It was just one of those days," said Keegan. "I brought Richard off but it could easily have been one or two others. Richard has come a long way this year but has struggled in the last couple of home games.
"But he is still only 23 and he will be back," he added, "He has to take this setback on the chin and show the same sort of character he did to return from his previous problems".
Dunne has turned in a number of creditable performances this year but the arrival of David Sommeil from Bordeaux may curtail his first-team appearances.