But if ever there was a time to make use of the former Sunderland skipper ... it's right now!
There were doubts over the 25-year-old's future at the Stadium of Light after he was left out of the Black Cats' pre-season trip to Hong Kong, as well as stripped of his number six shirt.
Paolo Di Canio: "I don't have prejudice and now that he's back with us, I treat him like the most important player in the squad, but he has to follow my regime, he has to stay in my circle.
"If he is going to jump out, he can't stay with me."