Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is happy to have Phil Bardsley back with the squad this week.
The Scotland international's days looked numbered under Paolo Di Canio after two bust-ups with the volatile Italian.
But Poyet said: "His attitude has been spectacular since I've come in. He's seen an opportunity and he's really put himself in place to take it.
"I saw him on the first day and he was already coming back in terms of fitness and playing. Then when a player comes and asks you to play football, asks to play in the Under-21s and asks to be part of the squad, that means he knows what he's done.
"You talk about what is the future for the club and for himself and he's willing to help. He's been exceptional.
"I'm not going to put him on a scale to compare him with everyone else, but he's up there with the best. It's another position at the back that we need to manage."
