Matt Kilgallon is back on the first-team radar just when it looked as if his Sunderland career might have been over.

The defender didn’t feature for Sunderland at all in 2010-11 and was training with the reserves, but he was brought back by Martin O’Neill and impressed over the second half of the 2011-12 season.

Yorkshireman Matt is a classy centre-half who is comfortable both in the air and on the floor.

He also likes a trick or two, leading to him being given the nickname ‘Skillgallon’ by fans.

Before joining Sunderland, Matt had played his whole career in his home county with Leeds and Sheffield United.

A product of the youth system at Elland Road, the York-born defender made 95 appearances during four-and-a-half years with the Whites and also had a short loan spell at West Ham.

Sheffield United paid £1.75m for him in 2007, with Matt becoming a regular following the Blades’ relegation from the top flight. He was a popular figure at Bramall Lane, playing more than 100 league games and winning the club’s player of the season in award in 2009.

Matt moved north to Sunderland in January 2010 but fell out of favour and spent 2010-11 on loan at Middlesbrough and Doncaster.

The former England under-21 international then returned to Sunderland and ended up in the reserves before being rescued by O’Neill.

A virtuoso performance against Manchester City on the first day of 2012 saw Matt rocket back into contention and he ended the season as a regular.

It’s funny what a bit of confidence can do!

Want to buy this player's replica shirt? Click here to shop online.