Head coach Sabri Lamouchi hopes further additions will follow after Nottingham Forest made Adama Diakhaby their first signing of the January transfer window.
The winger has joined on loan from Huddersfield Town until the end of the season, with Lamouchi hinting the Reds could have the option to make his switch permanent beyond that.
The Forest boss has been keen to strengthen his attacking resources as he looks to mount a promotion push in the second half of the season.
And ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with Reading - when victory would take his side three points off leaders West Bromwich Albion - Lamouchi says Diakhaby will offer a different option.
“He is an offensive midfielder, a winger and he is tall,” he said of the 23-year-old.
“He can play on the right or on the left, although I prefer him on the left side because he is left-footed.
“He has a good profile; a different profile to what we have in the squad.
“It is good for us. He is a nice guy and a good professional.
“He hasn’t played a lot, so he will be fresh.
“He will be most welcome, and having him means one more option.
“But we need more players with quality, and we must be patient for that.”
Diakhaby made the move to the Terriers from Monaco in the summer of 2018, having previously played for Lamouchi’s former club, Rennes - although the two did not cross paths.
He has been out of favour in West Yorkshire since the arrival of Danny Cowley as manager, with his last of 18 appearances this term coming at the end of November.
Lamouchi, though, is not worried about his lack of match sharpness.
“It will probably take him a bit of time, but he knows the league and he knows football in this country,” he said.
“He lives an hour and 30 minutes away from Nottingham, so it is so easy for him.
“He a lot, but I know the quality of the player.
“The way we want to play, he can be a good player for us. It is a good opportunity for us.
“I like the way he plays.
“I remember him from not so long ago at Rennes and Monaco, then with Huddersfield in the Premier League and the Championship.
“He is young, very young, with good potential.
“What is important is to trust in the profile of the player, of the man, and to bring him in.
“We have a very good dressing room and he must be part of the Forest project.”
It is said Diakhaby is unlikely to have a future at Town, and Lamouchi says a decision about his long-term prospects at the City Ground will be taken in due course.
Asked about reports an option to make the midfielder’s move permanent at the end of the season was included in the deal, the Frenchman said: “Probably, but I didn’t make the deal, personally.
“The club have taken the player on loan until the end of the season.
“I think there is the option to make it permanent after that, if something good happens for everybody.”
Adding a striker remains a priority for the Reds, and Lamouchi is anticipating further business before the window closes next Friday.
“If it is possible, yes, but just with the profile we are looking for,” he said on the possibility of further arrivals.
“The player (Diakhaby) wanted to come and be part of this project, and we are doing well,” he added.
“Some players are looking at Forest with a different view now - why not this year, why not there, why not me?
“It is good.”
