Bristol City coach Dean Holden has revealed that he is impressed with the form that Jamie Paterson is showing since returning to the club.
The attacking midfielder joined Derby County at the start of the season and only scored once in 10 appearances as he failed to lock down a regular place at Pride Park before being recalled by the Robins.
Back at Ashton Gate, he has flourished in the past five weeks with three goals and one assist in six league games as he has forced his way into Lee Johnson's starting XI.
Speaking to BristolLive ahead of their game against Derby County tomorrow night, Holden said: "I had a good chat with him this afternoon.
"Great credit to him, obviously he went away at the start of the season, and people maybe outside the club, maybe Pato himself, thought it was his City career over, but it didn’t quite work for him as he would've liked at Derby County, and he came back to us and he’s had to fight to get in and around it.
"I think you’ll remember his first few games he came back, he wasn’t straight back in.
"His performances in training, first and foremost, are obviously what’s got him a spot in the team. He’s been clinical in his finishing, he’s created some good moments in our attacking play as well.
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"As much as anything, he’s just been a good lad around the place. In fairness, not that he wasn’t before I have to say, he’s a really bubbly character and really good for the dressing room.
"But he’s become a bit of a leader, in the way that he’s come back and the way that he’s responded to a little bit of adversity in his career, fair play to him."
The 28-year-old Paterson joined the Robins in the summer of 2016 and became a regular within Johnson's matchday 18 as he featured in 113 games and scored 16 goals across all competitions.
The midfielder's form across the last month has kept Callum O'Dowda and Kasey Palmer watching on from the bench or from the stands in recent weeks with their chance yet to come because of the midfielder's sensational form.
Bristol City host Paterson's former club Derby at Ashton Gate tomorrow night.
The Verdict
Paterson has certainly impressed all at the club across the last few weeks with his form perhaps coming as a slight surprise.
He is playing like he has a point to prove to Lee Johnson after being shipped out on loan. The skillful midfielder is certainly taking his chance in the side with both hands over what is proving to be a crucial period for the Robins in the play-off hunt.