Just 12 months ago, Phil Jagielka cut a disconsolate figure at Bramall Lane as he and his Sheffield United teammates' brief flirtation with the Premiership came to end after defeat to Wigan on the final day of the campaign.
But, in sharp contrast, a year on from that disappointment it's all smiles for Jagielka after he was named in England's 31-man party to face the USA and Trinidad and Tobago as coach Fabio Capello begins his preparations for the World Cup qualification campaign.
The 25-year-old has been rewarded for an outstanding first season in the top flight with Everton, following his £4 million switch to Goodison Park last summer, and his call-up has come as no surprise to some of those people who know him well.
Ron Reid helped develop one of Blades' most successful homegrown products in his role as academy director and he said: "I'm not surprised at all.
"Phil didn't get off to the quickest of starts at Everton but once he got used to the way they do things over there you've seen him blossom into one of the best centre halves in the country and the call-up is totally deserved.
"One of his greatest strengths is how well he reads the game. He's aware of the dangers that were developing in front of him and then has the pace to get into position before they actually happen.
"When Phil first came through the system he was playing in midfield and, without being unkind, he wasnt the most popular with supporters if things were going wrong. But that illustrates another of his big qualities – Phils got great mental strength, a very strong character and is totally unflappable."
Former Welsh international Robert Page, who played along side Jagielka at Sheffield United, added: "I've watched the last couple of games for Everton and he has been absolutely superb, so he is in there on merit.
"When I first came to United, Phil was a midfielder and one of the things that really impressed me about him was the fact that you could play him anywhere and he would do a solid job. He's very versatile and, although hes still learning the art of defending, he has the pace to get himself out of trouble."
Meanwhile, Sheffield United have revealed they will not benefit financially should Jagielka represent England. United chairman Terry Robinson said: "We will not be receiving anything else from Everton. It was stated in Phil's contract that he could leave us for that figure and when we were relegated it kicked in.
"It was written into his deal at the time that he could leave for than amount and we went down. Everton were not prepared to budge from that arrangement. That was the commitment we made to Phil at the time and it helped persuade him to stay with us for longer."
