And Owen Coyle feels his sending off against Plymouth, and subsequent three-match suspension, has ultimately been a blessing in disguise for the summer signing from Manchester United.

Eagles has returned from his ban to make an impact in the following three games, coming off the bench to lay on Jay Rodriguez's winner against Fulham, score the clincher against Preston and play a part in Wade Elliott's goal that completed a comback victory against Watford.

And Coyle has been delighted with his response to the challenge of trying to win his place back in the starting line-up: "Every game Chris has come on in, if he hasn't scored, he's created opportunities, but we knew he is a quality player, and we're trying to help him improve because he knows he's not the finished article, he has a lot of stuff to learn, the same as the other young lads we've got.

"We can make them better players, and us a better team, but they have all knuckled down and are receptive to what you have to say.

"But I think, in a bizarre sort of way, that the fact he had to miss those games allowed him to look at the matches and really see what the Championship is all about, and I think I have a better player now, as a result, than when he came into the football club.

"And I have no doubt he will get better as time goes.

"Yes, you want your quality players in your team, but the difficulty is you can only pick 11, and at this moment in time, there's more than 11 deserving to start."

Eagles was dismissed against Argyle for kicking out at Chris Barker after the defender pulled his shirt, and Coyle feels he has learned from the error of his ways: "I've got to say it was fairly innocuous, what happened, but the intent was there, and I think that's what the punishment came from.

"For him to get three games for it, that is the rule, and Chris will probably have looked at the games and seen we've got quality players at the football club, and the fact the lads are doing well, he knew he would have to work hard to get back in, and that's what he's doing.
"I don't expect him to bouncing about at the moment, but he's been great in training and worked his socks off, and you have to turn that disappointment into a positive, go out there and do your best to get back in the team."

The 22-year-old isn't the only player champing at the bit, however, with Robbie Blake desperate for a start, and the likes of Ade Akinbiyi and summer signings Christian Kalvenes and Remco van der Schaaf not even in the 16 at present, and Coyle said: "It's difficult for Chris, Robbie Blake, and Ade Akinbiyi has come back fit, but such is the form of Jay Rodriguez that he's missed out on the 16 in the last couple of games.

"Nothing is easy about picking teams and leaving players out, or not having them involved, it's a difficult part of the job.

"But they know if people are doing well, they stay in.

"I don't expect them to be singing from the rooftops, but all I've said is if your chance comes, and it will because of the nature of the game, you have to be ready to take it.

"Their response has been great, because you've seen how they've done when they've come on the pitch, and I've no doubt they're disappointed not to be starting, but they have to make sure they are focussed and ready to show the quality they have got."