The defender made his first start since February in Saturday's 4-1 win over Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.

Cacapa missed the latter stages of last season with a hamstring problem, making his comeback against Everton as a substitute on the final day of the season.

And while Keegan is looking to bring in another centre-half before the start of the new campaign, he believes the 32-year-old former Brazil international – signed by Sam Allardyce last summer – has a lot to offer given his extensive experience at the top level with Olympique Lyonnais.

"Claudio's very important," Keegan told the Gazette. "He's a good man around the place, and another one who has worked very hard in pre-season

"He hasn't played for a long time, but he's clever. He's been round the block a few times in terms of his experience at Lyon.

"I thought in the first half, when we were a little bit under the cosh because Hartlepool started off so well, I thought he was the one who just held it all together for us."

Cacapa lined up alongside Steven Taylor in the centre of defence against League One Hartlepool, with David Edgar filling in for the absent Habib Beye at right back, and Jose Enrique – who has slimmed down over the summer – starting at left back.

Keegan handed Ben Tozer, Fraser Forster and Callum Morris their first-team debuts in the win, with the trio coming off the bench late in the game.