Player Profile: Steve Zakuani

Steve Zakuani's 2012 will be remembered not for his play on the field, but for the act of returning to the field of play and his exchange of jersey's with Brian Mullan.

It took a while, but by the final game of the season the phrase "Steve Zakuani is back" meant that the type of player we once saw sprinting down the touch line and blowing past defenders was back, not just the man being back and able to walk onto the pitch.

Skills on offense: Zakuani started to show glimpses of the burst speed and great first touch. He was able to take tackl and get up to return to play. Still a good passer in tight spaces and can use his dribble to break down a defender. This quandary forces opponents to play further off of him than most players. Still needs to show that his short and medium shot is back.

Skills on defense: Zakuani can use speed to harass opposing players but is unlikely to win the ball via a tackle. He occupies spaces similar to a left wing in a 4-3-3 rather than the midfielder of a 4-4-2.

Best Case in 2013: A regular starter netting 8 or more goals with 5 plus assists.