Chris Maguire's improved fitness is paying off, according to Phil Parkinson - and the Sunderland boss believes he can still get better.
Maguire scored twice in the Black Cats' 4-0 win over high-flying Wycombe Wanderers yesterday - converting a penalty and later adding a stunning free-kick - and has now found the net four times in has many games.
Sunderland's 3-4-3 system appears to suit him down to the ground, with the Scot playing on the right side of the front three.
The Black Cats' backroom staff - including physical performance coach Nick Allamby - have worked hard on Maguire's fitness, and Parkinson says those efforts are paying dividends as the 30-year-old has produced a greater level of consistency in recent weeks.
"Chris’ ability doesn’t change from one week to the next," says Parkinson.
"But he is starting to get fitter and that’s why he has been able to play at a consistent level.
"He is a good player, he has good quality and end product, but I think you can see he is on a different level to where he has been for quite a while.
"And I do feel there is more to come from him."
Maguire is Sunderland's top scorer with 10 goals in all competitions, nine of which have coming in the league.
The Wearsiders' win over Wycombe lifted them to sixth place and back into the play-off places for the first time since Parkinson took over in mid-October.
They are now six points behind top two Rotherham United and Wycombe, with a game in hand of both.
