Alex Mighten is eager for more game time with Nottingham Forest, but studying from the bench is also playing a key part in his development.
The 19-year-old made his first start for boss Steve Cooper before the international break, being named in the XI for the 3-0 victory over Preston North End.
Prior to that, he had been trying to catch the head coach’s eye when coming on as a substitute.
And Mighten says he has tried to make use of his time watching from the dugout, insisting he felt no extra pressure to impress when he did cross the white line.
Rams blow
Nottingham Forest’s arch-rivals Derby County have been hit with a new, and immediate, nine-point penalty for financial breaches.
The Rams have now been deducted a total of 21 points this season, and find themselves on -3 in the Championship table.
Wayne Rooney’s side had already had a 12-point deduction imposed for entering administration - and the club have agreed to drop their appeal against those sanctions, leaving them staring down the barrel of relegation this term.
A statement from the English Football League said: "The EFL has today confirmed that Derby County Football Club has received a nine-point sporting sanction with a further three points suspended after admitting to breaches of the League’s Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) rules.
Looking ahead
Nottingham Forest will aim to continue their fine form under Steve Cooper when the Championship action resumes this weekend.
The Reds have climbed to 13th in the table, just four points adrift of the play-off places, having lost only once in the Welshman’s nine games in charge.
The goal will be to push on further in the coming months, trying to close the gap on the top six as much as possible.
Forest remain as ambitious as ever when it comes to striving for a seat at the Premier League table. And if that doesn’t happen this year, it will very much be in the planning for next term.
With the key dates for the 2022/23 campaign having been announced, we’ve taken a look at who could be mainstays of the team by the time that comes around.
Transfer calls
A big transfer window is on the horizon for Nottingham Forest as they look to close the gap on the top six in the second half of the season.
The Reds have quickly made great strides under Steve Cooper, and a few tweaks to the squad in January could provide an additional boost - both in the short-term and beyond.
But it is not just over potential incomings where decisions will soon need to be made.
Forest have a number of players who will be out of contract at the end of the season. January will be their last chance to try to get a fee for any of them, before either seeing them walk away for nothing in the summer or look to agree fresh terms.
We take a look at those players who are coming towards the end of their deals.
