Shay Given claims the versatile Carlos Cuellar has brought a 'freshness' back to the Aston Villa side following his return to action.
The veteran Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper has spoken out on the impact that the Spanish stopper has had since breaking back into Villa boss Alex McLeish's first-team plans following his recovery from a knee injury in October.
And, while Cuellar, who has recently been utilised in an unfamiliar left-back role, insists he is just happy to be playing first-team football again, Given claims the former Glasgow Rangers defender has had a big impact on the rest of the team and praised the way he has adapted to his new position.
On Cuellar, whose performance in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Manchester City at Villa Park earned him the man-of-the-match award, Given told the club's website: "He played a very, very good game and out of position too because he is not naturally a left back.
"It is important that we have got versatile players like that who can play right across the back four.
"When a player is out for that length of time, they can bring that kind of freshness and become like a new signing for the squad when they return.
"He has definitely brought that since he has come back into the fray."