Hooiveld does enough to impress Benali (From Daily Echo)

Hooiveld does enough to impress Benali

8:00am Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Sport By Gordon Simpson , Senior Sports Reporter

JOS Hooiveld has received a glowing endorsement from one of Saints’ most legendary defenders.

The centre half has established himself as a lynchpin of the side since moving from Celtic earlier this season.

His partnership with Jose Fonte at the heart of defence has been a major ingredient in Saints’ recipe for success during the current campaign.

And Hooiveld is also proving a valuable asset in front of goal, having netted in the club’s last two games, against West Ham and Derby.

Ex-Saints defender Francis Benali is one of many who have been impressed by the Dutchman’s contribution.

Benali was in among the away supporters at Upton Park last week to watch Hooiveld first-hand, as the 28-year-old bagged a valuable equaliser against the Hammers.

And he believes Hooiveld, who recently returned from a three-week lay-off with a hamstring injury, will play an important part in the remainder of the club’s promotion push.

Full story in today's Daily Echo