Tim McCann says having Luke McCullough available again for Glentoran is "like a new signing" for the club.
The big defender is back in first team action again eleven months after suffering a third serious knee injury of his career.
The former Northern Ireland international showed all his qualities as he made his second start since returning to full fitness in the County Antrim Shield semi-final clash with Linfield during the week.
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Despite coming out the wrong side of a 2-1 defeat McCann was buoyed by McCullough's performance.
"I thought Luke was outstanding on the night along with his defensive partner Aidan Wilson," he said.
"Luke has been brilliant, he's had a lot of help from the physios but it's all down to him and his attitude and will to get back into it.
"He worked tirelessly in the off-season, he was training on his own, which everyone knows is very difficult, but he's got that mental toughness.
"He showed all his qualities against Linfield, a tough game on a heavy pitch, and I thought he was outstanding.
"You find that with great players, they always find that couple of seconds of time and they look under no pressure at all.
"Luke always does that, he's done that throughout his career.
"Even in training he always seems to have time on the ball.
"He's a very smart player who is always composed.
"We are very fortunate to have him back, it's like a new signing."
The defeat to the blues means Glentoran have now gone three games without a win.
They face another test today in the lunchtime clash with Cliftonville at the BetMcClean Oval.
"It's mid-November we're sitting second in the league three points behind Larne with a game in hand, so nobody is pressing any panic buttons," insisted McCann.
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