Post Script. Having won a Champions League medal last season, the player's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse with the change of president at Real Madrid this summer. The signing of Figo makes it difficult for him to get a place in the side, and Florentino Pérez is pressurising Vicente Del Bosque to get rid of him as he is amongst the highest paid members of the squad. As a result he has not played even one minute in their pre-season matches. He has so far turned down a firm offer from Middlesborough, but Manchester United and Lazio are interested. At the moment he has however been included in the initial Champions League squad.

28.05. Was one of the stars of the Champions League final, scoring the second goal with a scissors kick from the edge of the area. Will join the England squad for the Euro 2000 competition.

21.05. Played whole match against Valladolid, but was disappointing.

14.05. Played the Champions League semi-final and looks set to be in the starting line up for Paris. Also started the match against Betis, but was rested during the second half.

07.05. Now a regular first team choice, playing the full match against Bayern and most of the game against Alavés.

30.04. Started both matches against Espanyol this week, in the cup semi-final and the league. Played the 90 minutes in the cup and was substituted three minutes from the end in the league having won a penalty for the second goal.

23.04. Started the match against Manchester United, and was whistled at throughout the game in view of his time at their local rivals Liverpool. Made the second goal for Raúl with a precise cross field pass. Came off two minutes from time as part of a tactical (time wasting) substitution. Played the full 90 minutes against Racing, and scored the second goal, following up after the keeper blocked a shot from Morientes.

16.04. Has been nicknamed 'el cartero', (the postman) as he picks up the ball, runs with it for a bit and then delivers it who knows where (postmen in Spain are a lot less reliable than in other countries). Still, he is playing well and started both in the cup semi-final and in the league against Zaragoza. Substituted after 70 minutes in the first match looking tired, and substituted to waste time in the last minute in the second.

09.04. Recovered in time to play against Manchester United, and had a great game, despite missing a chance near the end. Keegan watched the match and said afterwards that he could still make it to the Euro 2000 squad. Played the full 90 minutes on Sunday against Celta.

02.04. Started game against Real Sociedad, but went off injured in second half and may miss tie with Manchester United.

26.03. played in both Champions League and league matches this week from the start. Hit the post in the match against Rosenborg.

19.03. Finally started a match in Champions League against Dynamo Kiev, but was substituted after an hour. Came on for the last seven minutes against Atlético.

12.03. Once again came on in the second half against Munich. Didn't start either against Sevilla, but replaced the injured Helguera after 10 minutes and had a hand in the first goal.

05.03. Came on as second half substitute twice this week, against Bayern Munich and Oviedo. Set up Raúl's goal with a pass from the right wing.

27.02. Late substitute in the 3-0 victory over Barcelona.

20.02. Started on Tuesday against Valladolid and was substituted in the second half. Rested in Thursday's cup match, he started again against Valencia but was again replaced at half time.

13.02. Played 80 minutes in the midweek cup match and played all the match against Málaga.

06.02. Coming on as substitute recently. Rumoured to be in line for an England call up for their next friendly.

30.01. Has started the last two matches but still to find his form.

23.01. Played an hour in the cup against Zaragoza but was disappointing. Asked fans for more patience after his injury. Was in the starting line up against Numancia, but was again substituted during the second half.

11.01. Reappeared as substitute in the club world championship in Brazil and was in the starting line up for the third match. Could be on the road to recovery.

21.12. Didn't come on in the match against Alavés.

18.12. Recovered earlier than expected and came on in the second half against Espanyol.

12.12. Injury problem aggravated, and not expected to be fit until the world club championship in Brazil next month.

10.11. Played a few minutes in the league and again against Arsenal in a friendly. Called up by England but suffered yet another injury in training with them and will be out for 10 days or so.

31.10. Played briefly in Champions League but aggravated a groin strain and out for another couple of weeks.

17.10. Still not playing, but may come in for Champions League game on Wednesday. Doctors say injury may be due to stress.

2.10 Injured midweek (thigh muscle) in Champions League and could be out for three weeks.

19.9. Played against Depor, but carrying slight injury.

15.9. Played midweek in Champions League, Savio scored from his pass.

12.9. Started match against Athletic Bilbao and scored brilliant equaliser in first half.

8.9. Two goals for England against Luxembourg, his first for his country.

26.8. Foot injury pre-season (blisters) bothered him. Played most matches on right wing. Substitute in first match, came on after 60 minutes and made first goal for Morientes. Scored goal in 3-1 defeat of Milan in Bernabeu trophy, (came on as sub at halftime).

30.8. Macca as he is known here came on as second half sub with score 0-0 against Numancia. Madrid won 4-1, with Steve making the second for Savio and scoring the third himself, his first league goal.