Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez praised Sergino Dest after their 4-1 victory at Valencia on Sunday.

The American returned to the starting line-up at Mestalla and his coach highlighted the enormous progress that he is making at full-time.

"Sergino Dest is playing spectacularly well," said Xavi.

"I am very happy with his progress.

"When we arrived he wasn't doing so well and now he is doing well with and without the ball."

Although there was significant speculation over whether Dest would remain at the club in January, he chose to stay and work hard to establish a place in the side.

He performed strongly in the Europa League tie against Napoli on Thursday and he is putting pressure on his coach to start him again at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the return leg on Thursday evening.

It could also be a pivotal few months ahead for his Barcelona career, which looks set to take off.