Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen will not be intimidated by the size and strength of Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini in the white-hot atmosphere of Anfield on Sunday.
That is the message from Wales manager Chris Coleman, who has compared Allen to Chelsea's former French destroyer Claude Makelele.
And Coleman believes Liverpool fans are finally starting to understand what the 25-year-old is all about after his £15million move from Swansea in 2012.
Wales international Allen has been outstanding in the absence of skipper Steven Gerrard as Liverpool have closed the gap on United in the Premier League's fourth and final Champions League spot, and will now renew acquaintances with Fellaini after their Brussels battle in November.
The 5-foot-6 Allen was left with a bloody nose after being caught by a stray elbow from the 6-foot-4 Fellaini but stood tall in the closing stages as Wales held out for a goalless draw with star-studded Belgium in Euro 2016 qualifying.
"Joe is not the biggest but he has a huge heart," Coleman said.
"I have seen him taking many whacks and he took a bang in Belgium off Fellaini.
"It was a nasty one and Fellaini knew what he was doing, but it doesn't bother Joe and he's looking every inch a top Liverpool player."
Allen has earned rave reviews at the base of the Liverpool midfield in the last four league games, all of which Brendan Rodgers' side have won to move within two points of United and perfectly set up their Anfield collision.
And it was noticeable when Gerrard returned as a second-half substitute in Monday's 1-0 win at Swansea, after missing five weeks with a hamstring problem, that the Welshman stayed on the pitch.
"When Brendan signed him, maybe people thought he was going to come and hit 60-yard passes and score goals like Gerrard," Coleman said.
"But that is not what he does. He sits there quietly, breaks up attacks and starts the play.
"People used to say Claude Makelele was brilliant when he came over and did the simple things well.
"Joe does the same, he senses danger early, makes sure he is in the right position and always wants the ball even in tight situations. They are not things everyone can do."
