Roy Keane was full of admiration for Lisandro Martinez after his immaculate performance in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

The Argentine international joined from Ajax in the summer and has been an incredible acquisition despite his rough start.

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He was criticised for his small stature with many doubting his ability to cope with the physicality of the league and his first two performances didn’t help change people’s minds.

He was part of the team which got hammered by Brighton and Brentford at the start of the season but since then has completely turned it around.

Martinez was given the MOTM award on Wednesday night after his display against Nottingham Forest and was heavily complimented by Keane after the game.

‘He’s got pride in his defending,’ the former Manchester United midfielder said

‘You’ve seen his character and his desire. He wants to defend.

‘He’s the kind of person you want to be in the trenches with. From a defender’s point of view they’ll be delighted with a clean sheet.’

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