Tottenham skipper Ledley King has revealed how important Scott Parker's arrival has been this season.
King admits Parker's energy is crucial at both ends of the pitch.
He told the Sunday Telegraph: "Scott's been amazing. The other day, I was joking with the fitness coach as my [running] stats have gone down 40 per cent in some games.
"I was saying it's down to Scott! He was coming off the pitch feeling knackered and I was feeling fine!
"Scotty protects the back-four brilliantly. Players like David Silva or Robin van Persie play in that horrible position between defence and midfield, getting in the holes, and that's always tricky for a defender.
"But if I can just hold him up for a second or two, Scott's always coming back to make a challenge before you get drawn too far out of position. Some players aren't sprinting back. Scott is.
"Scotty's also very good in the dressing-room. He's quite a quiet lad but when he talks, people listen."