ROBERTO Di Matteo reckons top gun Graham Dorrans has plenty of improvement left in him - despite the Scotland international being voted the second best player outside the Premier League.
Dorrans, still only 22, will be looking to add to his 14-goal tally at promotion-rivals Swansea tonight (ko 7.45pm) and has really caught the eye during his first full season in English football.
So much so that he was only pipped by Newcastle midfield goal machine Kevin Nolan to the Coca-Cola Championship Player-of-the-Year Award on Sunday night.
Di Matteo is delighted with the progress Dorrans has made this term and is looking forward to helping him realise his full potential.
"I'm pleased for the boy that he's had this recognition," said the head coach.
"He's having a good season and I just hope it's the start of a long and successful career.
"At the beginning of the season, when I took over, Dozza was coming back from an injury so he didn't go straight into the team.
"But once he started to perform at the level he did, it was a no-brainer to have him in the squad.
"He's been important to us this season.
"But he can still learn a lot. He still has a lot of margin to improve.
"He will be even better in a year or two and we're pleased to have him with us.
"Dozza is also a very good pro.
"He is always on time and always puts a lot of effort and commitment into training.
"He looks after himself too.
"Dozza's very down to earth and doesn't get fussed by all the attention he gets."
