Cole Skuse has praised the recent contribution of Callum Connolly after the Everton loanee was surprisingly drafted into Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up as his midfield partner.
Connolly, 20, has clocked up seven successive midfield appearances alongside the vastly more experienced Skuse, weighing in with two goals as Town have lost just twice and banked 11 points from a possible 21.
Skuse said: "There must be something in the DNA at Everton because I remember Conor Grant being the same when he was on loan here. They are such good professionals.
"Callum is one of the first to arrive in the morning and he does his prep before training. He trains to the max and afterwards he looks after himself properly.
"He has been a joy to play alongside, although I’ve told him umpteen times to get his hair cut. That fringe is horrendous — but other than that he’s a joy.
"He’s a lovely guy, a great lad and I forget how young he is at times because he conducts himself in such a real good manner.”
Connolly’s first Town appearances were at right-back, his primary role, but he has caught the eye in midfield, Skuse adding: "He’s a great foil for me because if he sees me pressing a bit higher he’s more than willing to fill in — and vice-versa.
"If he’s off doing his thing I’ll sit in for him. I can’t speak highly enough of him — great lad, great pro and he deserves every accolade he gets at the moment.”
The Everton loanee has added to the competition for midfield places and it will intensify further when Teddy Bishop and Tom Adeyemi are all fit enough to be in contention to start games, the workload during the hectic Christmas and New Year programme requiring McCarthy to have as many fully-fit players as possible.
Skuse added: "Bish has been out for a long time and I feel for him because he has had a lot of injuries. But he has been unbelievable in training lately.
"He has come back in great shape, looked really fit and sharp, so his return is an absolute bonus for everyone.
"Tom did really well when he played — it will be real competition when they are all back, guaranteed to keep us all on our toes.
"Callum has shown he is a versatile player. I played a lot of games at right-back at Bristol City when we had a lot of injuries.
"It’s a position that most midfielders can do. I don’t think they feel too uncomfortable there — quite a few players have done it, Phil Neville being one. The older I get the more I might start moving back to keep going a bit longer.”
Meanwhile, Skuse knows McCarthy will be having a quiet word with the Town players ahead of their forthcoming Christmas party, anxious as he will be that no one steps out of line to attract the wrong type of headlines that have blighted several other clubs at this time of year.
Skuse said: "He will speak to us beforehand and he will say ‘Don’t be bringing any police to the training ground and don’t be getting carried home’. But you need to have a night or two when you just switch off and enjoy yourself. Christmas is a tough period for us with a lot of games in a short period of time, so we’ll enjoy ourselves.
"We also have our hospital visits and it strikes a chord with me as a father. In fact, I’ve got a visit to the children’s hospital this afternoon.
"Honestly, it breaks your heart as soon as you walk in and see a little child. It’s the same if it’s an older patient at the hospice — it’s a tough one to swallow.
"The least we can do is go along and give them a little lift and a gift from the club. It’s a heartbreaking time to see family members in hospital over Christmas and knowing they are not going to be going home.”