A rejuvenated Fabian Delph is aiming to repay the faith shown in him at Aston Villa after a man-of-the-match display against Blackburn.
The former Leeds United starlet was snapped up by former boss Martin O'Neill in a £6million deal when he was 18 years of age two years ago but he has struggled to reach his peak form at Villa while several cruciate knee injuries have also hampered his progress.
However, after Delph shone in Saturday's 3-1 win against Rovers at Villa Park in his first back-to-back 90 minutes since he arrived at the club, he is adamant that he now wants to show exactly why the club put their efforts into getting him back to full fitness and chairman Randy Lerner handed him a new five-year deal that ties him to the club until 2015.
"I can honestly say I've come out a stronger person," said Delph.
"I've no one to thank but those around me, my family and especially people like (physios) Alan Smith and Stuart Walker, and the doctors here now, and those who have gone.
"The physios kept me going. I'm not the easiest person to work with when I am angry and frustrated.
"It was hard to keep my mouth shut at times, but everybody is entitled to have a little moan.
"I've a lot of respect for the people I work with, and I do as I'm told. They told me to shut my mouth and get on with it.
"Alan Smith took a lot of grief, but he's an unbelievable physio. He's worked with players with injuries far worse than mine.
"As far as he was concerned I was a little guy with a big gob who he put into place quite quickly.
"As far as I see it my injuries are behind me now, and my focus is to push on in my career and do well for the manager and chairman, as they have for me," added Delph.
"The chairman put a lot of faith in me by giving me a new contract, speaking to me, looking after me on that side of things.
"For me to repay them would be the best thing I could do."