Jonathan Walters has said that Marc Wilson "deserves credit" for his performances for Stoke City this season.
The defender has partnered Ryan Shawcross in the centre since Robert Huth sustained a knee injury in December.
Walters, who also plays alongside the 26-year-old for the Republic of Ireland, told the Stoke Sentinel: "Ryan's done very well of course, but alongside him is another person who deserves credit in Marc Wilson.
"Big questions were asked of him when Robert Huth was injured. He'd played a few games for Ireland in that position just before Huthy got injured and he's fitted in very nicely.
"He's such a versatile player, he can probably pick any number of positions to play in. He's done excellently this year. They're massive shoes to fill when Huthy's out, and he's done really well."
Stoke, who have lost just once in their last six Premier League matches, sit 10th in the table.