Neil Warnock believes Isaac Vassell can banish his injury demons and play a starring role in Cardiff City's promotion bid this term.
The striker, who joined the club from Birmingham City on deadline day, announced himself to his new fans by netting a 94th-minute header to seal a over his former club Luton.
While it was a cruel blow for Luton, doubly so after Hatters boss Graeme Jones revealed the player was close to returning to Kenilworth Road this summer, it was a dream start for Vassell.
The striker had his detractors following his move, largely owing to his goal record of just one in 24 games during his time at St Andrew's. However a horrendous rupture to his ACL which sidelined him for over a year plagued his time there.
Now, fully fit and challenging Robert Glatzel for that starting berth, Warnock is delighted Vassell has the opportunity to disprove his doubters and finally fulfil his potential.
"You can't wish for a better start," Warnock said after the win, "I don't know how long he was on the pitch for. But he's got so many strings to his bow that it was a no-brainer really (to sign him).
"They want to bring in a lot of continental players at Birmingham and I thought that was a great opportunity for us.
"His injury probably put people off (signing him), but I'm delighted. A lovely lad as well. So it couldn't have worked out better.
"He will have a fantastic weekend. He's had so much bad luck over the last 18 months, he deserves a weekend like this."
Vassell now has as many goals for Cardiff City in three days as he did in two years at Birmingham. Warnock, however, urged him to build on this dream start to life in the Welsh capital.
"I just feel there's something in him," Warnock added. "He's had a bad injury, which anybody can have, but he has still got a lot to learn and a lot to prove."
