Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin says Northern Ireland U21 defender Aaron Donnelly has been a “revelation” in midfield for the Reds.
Donnelly normally lines out at left-back or centre-back but has played in the engine room in recent weeks, including Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Coleraine.
“Aaron has been superb in there for us,” said McLaughlin ahead of Tuesday night's league trip to Larne.
“He has played left-back, wing-back and also centre-half for us, but he has shown he can also play centre mid.
“I thought he was a class act (against Coleraine) and he did the same last week against Linfield.
"He plays with real assurance and quality and he’s been a revelation there.
“He is a defender by trade, so he has a natural defensive mindset, but he has also shown that he has quality on the ball and can play.
"Put those two together and you have a player. He hasn’t put a foot wrong.
"Aaron playing there takes competitive levels in midfield up another notch and the boys who are coming back will have to play well to get back in.”
Attacking midfielder Rory Hale missed Saturday’s trip to Coleraine through injury while Ronan Doherty, who has just returned from a knock, was on the bench.
Cliftonville, whose last home fixture was a 3-0 win over Dundannon Swifts on November 6, are preparing for their fifth successive away game in all competitions at Inver Park.
“It has been a crazy run of fixtures and we have some massive games coming up, but the boys have been superb and risen to the challenge,” said McLaughlin.
“If we want to stay at the top end of the division we have to keep improving. If you’re not at your maximum, other teams will run over the top of you.”
Cliftonville lie three points clear of Glentoran at the league summit heading into Tuesday night's programme of Danske Bank Premiership fixtures.
FIXTURES (all 7.45pm): Coleraine v Glentoran; Crusaders v Portadown; Dungannon Swifts v Glenavon; Larne v Cliftonville; Linfield v Carrick Rangers; Warrenpoint Town v Ballymena United.
