Nottingham Forest defender Yohan Benalouane was handed a surprise appearance on Sunday as he played the final five minutes of the 1-0 defeat to Barnsley.
It was the first time the Tunisia international had been included in a Championship matchday squad for the Reds this season, and his cameo was just his second appearance in all competitions this term, following 45 minutes in the FA Cup against Chelsea.
After the game, the 33-year-old wrote on social media: “We lost a battle, not the war. Let’s keep pushing.”
Benalouane, a Premier League title-winner with Leicester City, arrived at Forest from the King Power Stadium 18 months ago, and was thrust straight into the team by Martin O’Neill.
In an eventful 14 games in the second half of the last campaign, Benalouane scored the winner in an East Midlands derby win over the Rams, but was also sent off twice.
His brief appearance at Oakwell was his first Championship appearance for Forest since his second red card, earned in a 2-0 loss at Sheffield United last April.
Signed on an initial 18-month deal, Benalouane said a few months ago that his contract at the City Ground had been extended to 2021.
