7:30am Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Liam Chronnell
OWEN Coyle has praised Zat Knight for riding to Bolton’s rescue.
The defender has been outstanding since star man Gary Cahill was ruled out through injury.
The giant centre-back enjoyed a rocky start to his Reebok career following his summer move from Aston Villa.
But Knight has revelled in the extra responsibility thrust upon him in Cahill’s absence.
“I asked him to take the responsibility and he’s taken it and led by example,” said Coyle.
“We know the qualities Gary Cahill has, so Zat’s had to take even more responsibility, but he’s acquitted himself ever so well.
“He’s an infectious character — the boys love him — and he’s determined to do well. He’s got a real hunger to do well for himself and the football club, and they’re the type of players I like working with.”
Knight has been superb since Coyle’s arrival in January — but the new manager is refusing to take any credit for his transformation.
“That’s not been down to me, that’s down to Zat Knight,” said Coyle, who has urged the 29-year-old not to take his foot off his gas now.
“I look at him and he’s got everything in his locker to be the top player he is showing he is just now.
“He’s been outstanding but he has to keep that up. I’ve said to him ‘You’ve had a good period but you have to be consistent’.
“I look for a level of consistency with defenders and that’s what Zat’s been bringing and he has to continue that.
“He’s maturing well but he has to keep it up and deliver game by game.”
And Coyle thinks Knight, who has been capped twice by his country, has an outside chance of making England’s World Cup squad.
“He’s played for England before and you can see why,” he said. “On Saturday we played Matthew Upson and he’s in the squad, so I don’t know why Zat shouldn’t be put in that bracket.”
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