JOHN O'Kane may be a late developer but his manager believes the end product could be worth waiting for.

The former Manchester United and Everton man is 26 next month but has so far failed to turn his natural talent into consistent quality performances - until now.

Reebok boss Sam Allardyce believes this could be a watershed season for the Nottingham-born defender.

O'Kane has made the right back berth his own this season and Allardyce is convinced his recent improvement could be just the start of long term progress.

"He's doing a great job for us," praised Big Sam.

"He has settled down in the right back position. He has always been a quality player but I think that perhaps now he maturing a bit.

"No-one has ever questioned his talent at Manchester United or Everton but he has wanted to do his own thing which might not have been for the good of the team. He is listening and learning.

"Now he is getting to know his job both defending and attacking.

"We picked him up as a cast-off from Everton along with Gareth Farrelly last year and he is proving his worth to the squad.

"He has struggled in the past with his consistency levels but that is an area that he is improving on now.

"With defenders you are always looking for consistent performances and he has been very good this season in that respect.

"In the past his good games have been very, very good and his bad games have been very, very poor. Now his good games are still very, very good and his bad games are not too bad. The differencial is narrowing."