Put through his paces before kick-off against KSC Lokeren at the Daknamstadion on Thursday night, Stephen Quinn came through his latest fitness test with flying colours in the draw against Stoke City.
Not registered as part of Hull City's 21-man Europa League squad, City reaped the rewards when fresh to face the Potters at the KC Stadium yesterday.
A terrier in the heart of the midfield, losing James Chester early on only served to increase the need for a player of Quinn's ability in the heart of the engine room.
A bit-part player at times last season and one linked with a possible move away from the KC in recent weeks, the Irish international will have done his cause for further call-ups no harm, especially with manager Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane watching on from the stands.
Leaving Tom Huddlestone to be the creative outlet, Quinn's performance was all about effort and determination.
That's not to take anything away from the midfielder, whose short passing game was crisp, but Quinn's presence was about disruption as much as it was about distribution.
Breaking up the play in the centre of the pitch, Quinn frustrated the Potters and hurried the likes of Glenn Whelan and Steven N'Zonzi into making mistakes.
Occasionally driving the ball forward himself, City's dwindling possession in the second half meant defensive duties were more pressing than threatening in the opposition's third.
Having impressed when coming on for Robert Snodgrass in the 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers last week, the diminutive Irishman demonstrated his value from the start against Stoke.
Unavailable for selection again on Thursday night, he is a certain starter when the Tigers return to Premier League action at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Providing manager Steve Bruce with a different option to Huddlestone or Jake Livermore, Quinn was the ideal foil for his two teammates in central midfield.
In a team that has not been blessed with goals, it is an attribute missing from Quinn's game that has perhaps stopped him from asserting his influence still further.
His only goalscoring contribution in the 2013-14 season came in City's famous FA Cup semi-final victory over Sheffield United.
Improve that facet of his play and you can be sure Quinn won't be heading anywhere in a hurry.
