Boss Steve Cooper has told those Nottingham Forest players who have yet to feature under him to keep trying to catch his eye in training.
The Welshman has generally stuck with a settled XI and matchday squad during his 10 games at the helm, meaning some players have yet to get time on the pitch.
Right-back Mohamed Drager and attacker Xande Silva are among that group, with both having joined the Reds in the summer while Chris Hughton was still in charge.
Drager offered a timely reminder of what he has to offer during the international break, however, scoring for Tunisia in a 3-1 victory over Zambia. And it comes at a time when there are fears over Djed Spence being recalled by Middlesbrough in January.
“There’s a group of players who haven’t done much wrong - who haven’t done anything wrong - but have just sort of fell on a little bit of wrong timing with other players who have done quite well in the team, and results have been okay,” Cooper said.
“They are probably sitting there patiently, waiting for an opportunity. Mo is an example of that.
“But he is bright enough, and clever enough, to understand that’s just how it is, because of what I just said.
“He managed to get some international minutes, which is a positive. He would have needed them - as did Braian (Ojeda), although maybe not as much as what we would have liked, and Jimmy (James Garner) got a start for England Under-21s, and Brennan (Johnson) got some minutes.
“Going back to Mo, he’s just got to keep going.
“It’s the same for Xande Silva. He is very much part of the training group. Every day is an opportunity.”
Cooper is keen to ensure everyone, whether playing or not, feels part of the group.
And with a hectic schedule on the horizon, as well as injuries and suspensions beginning to bite, there will come a time when he has to utilise his squad.
“It’s normal, at times, if they have to pick themselves up a bit more, and motivate themselves a bit more,” the Welshman said of the players not involved.
“I have to say, credit to them, because it’s always one of the things you have to keep an eye on with the players who are not in the team or who are suffering bad form, or who have injuries or things aren’t going to plan.
“One thing is for sure, whatever situation the player is in - whether he’s a Scott McKenna who is playing every game, or whether he’s coming off the bench, or whether he’s not involved at all - they get 100 percent commitment from us.
“Nobody is excluded from the training group or our programme. Really, our training programme is about preparing everybody for the next game, because you never quite know who you are going to need. Things can change quickly.
“With this run of games, we might need some players who you’ve not seen for a while.
“It could be any time when you need your squad. You never know what is around the corner.
“You have to make sure that if you are going to put players in, you’ve given them an opportunity to be as ready as they can be - whether that’s physical levels, tactical levels, technical levels, motivation or confidence.
“It’s hard to do that, but that’s how we work.”
