Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has hailed the resurrection of defender Richard Dunne's performances.
The Republic of Ireland international has emerged as one of the few star performers during City's 11-match slump that has sent them tumbling into the wrong half of the Premiership and out of two cup competitions.
Dunne is an unlikely hero given Keegan was on the brink of kicking him out of the club just over 12 months ago following a series of disciplinary problems.
Even though he recovered his form to win a place in Keegan's line-up towards the back end of the campaign, the 24-year-old's Manchester City future again looked bleak when he found himself out of the side at the start of this season.
His only start in the first 14 games was the UEFA Cup qualifying-round tie with Total Network Solutions in Cardiff when the City boss fielded virtually a reserve side.
However, since winning a recall for the League Cup win over QPR at the end of October, Dunne has been an ever-present and made his 16th appearance in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool last Sunday. Once again, the former Everton player was one of City's best performers and Keegan can only hope the rest of his squad start to match Dunne's example.
"Richard has gone to hell and back and everyone knows that," said Keegan. "But he is now showing the potential he first showed years ago when he was at Everton.
"He has done some silly things in the past but his last six or seven games for us have been outstanding. Unfortunately, those performances have got lost in some poor results but the lad can only do his best. What we have got to do now is start to get the confidence back into the other players who are capable of better than they have been producing."
Meanwhile, Nikos Dabizas has been charged with the responsibility of shoring up Leicester City's leaky defence by manager Micky Adams after ending a near six-year association with Newcastle.
The Greece international will formally put pen to paper today on an initial short-term contract until the end of the season after agreeing personal terms with the Foxes subject to passing a medical.
But there is an option for the 30-year-old to extend his stay with Leicester for next season if they remain in the Premiership.
Dabizas is expected to make his debut in the league encounter with Southampton at St Mary's on January 7th, although he would be eligible for tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Manchester City if the deal is completed by noon today.
Dabizas cost £1.3 million when he was signed by Kenny Dalglish for the Magpies from Olympiakos in March 1998 and was a key performer in his early seasons in England's north-east. But he suffered a serious knee ligament injury a couple of seasons ago and has slipped down the pecking order since the arrival of Titus Bramble and Jonathan Woodgate.
