Technically-gifted and tenacious former PSG man Jérôme Leroy is proving his worth in what has so far been a difficult season at Lens. His commitment to the cause has always been self-evident, an admirable trait that has nonetheless seen him pick up more than his fair share of red cards since he made his Ligue 1 debut in 1996.

Leroy is currently re-establishing himself after finding out that he did not fit Vahid Halilhodzic's profile when the Bosnian replaced Luis Fernandez as PSG Coach in 2003. The 30-year-old found himself accused by the new regime of being a disruptive influence in the squad, and too closely tied to Fernandez.

Halilhodzic tried to arrange a swift exit for the emblematic player, only for Leroy to insist he wanted to stay. A long, drawn-out saga that did little good for the capital club's image finally ended with Leroy joining Ligue 1 strugglers Guingamp four games into the season.

It was a painful time for PSG fans, although many had never forgiven Leroy for joining arch-rivals Marseille in December 1999. Indeed, when the Béthune-born player penned with Guingamp, he was ending no less than his third spell in the capital.

Raised in the PSG reserves, Leroy spent five distinguished years in the Parisian midfield, punctuated by a season out on loan to Laval and his two successful years with OM.

Leroy's close ball control skills and fearless tackling were not enough to save Guingamp from relegation last season and, anxious to ply his trade in the top flight, he joined Lens in the summer.

He has proved to be perhaps the Sang et Or's best player and, though fellow new-signing Eric Carrière was given the captain's armband, Leroy has unquestionably established himself as the team's driving force.