Boro’s youngest captain, Stockton-born Cattermole, still has huge affection for the team which he left nearly four years ago. His performances have won over O’Neill after the most unpromising of starts.

O’Neill said: “You get some sort of perception about players but I am pretty willing to change those, particularly if you start get to know someone.

“I have been pleasantly surprised with him.

“He has been a fantastic influence and considering he is only 23 he has real genuine leadership qualities.

“What he says in the dressing room he attempts to carry out during the game. Early on, he had a bit of a problem, he missed training because he was in Scotland during my first week here.

“He was unable to get back and incurred a fine.

“So he really got off to a good start! Then he had another on-going problem (arrested and bailed with Nicklas Bendtner for alleged criminal damage to parked cars in Newcastle city centre) so I thought this was really great. I know Scotland is north of the border, it is possible despite the high winds to get back. You may have to take a boat and go around Plymouth Sound but you can get back to this country.

“He missed my first game through suspension and I did not change the side for Tottenham. He stepped in at QPR and has been a revelation since.”

For all Cattermole’s outstanding performances and inspiring leadership, discipline remains a concern.

While others are quick to rush to the judgement the midfielder is a changed man, O’Neill is too canny to jump to conclusions.

He added: “I would not be convinced about that yet.

“He has picked up eight bookings this season, two away from a ban.

“The months ahead will be too long to avoid that and even with the best effort possible you are picking up two bookings between now and sometime in April (when the slate is wiped clean for those with less than ten cautions). It might even be a problem were it some time in mid-February!”

At this point, some managers would shrug and say they have to accept that side of a player whose combativeness is his greatest asset. Not this one.

O’Neil said: “No, I don’t accept that. “I think you can help.

“There are times what he has done is made challenges which have given us all a lift, and other times when he can avoid it. I would not want to prevent that wholeheartedness and courage.”