LAURENT Charvet's team-mates believe the defender can go from zero to hero with the Maine Road fans.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle man had a disastrous first season at City when he became the latest victim of the Blue boo boys.

But an outstanding performance in last Saturday's opening game under Kevin Keegan saw the jeers turn to cheers and Charvet universally hailed as a revelation.

Practically everyone had given up on Charvet ever producing the goods for City so his sudden transformation is like signing a new £3million player.

And City boss Kevin Keegan believes there is much more to come from him, installing him as a contender for City's player of the year already. "It is all there for him. He could Player of the Year this season," Keegan said.

"Laurent has been outstanding in training and once he learns what English football is all about, he can go on. Against Watford you saw a performance which he can better.

"He was the last one into the dressing room after the Watford game and the lads were all round him as they knew it hasn't all been roses for him."