Gary O'Neil believes midfielder Tiago Silva is an 'ideal element' for Nottingham Forest.
The Portuguese playmaker started in the defeat to Fulham after being left out of the line-up for the weekend's draw with Derby County.
And O'Neill believes the 27-year-old offers the creativity Sabri Lamouchi needs if he wants his team to play on the front foot.
“I think he’s got so much ability," O'Neill told Sky Sports. "He likes to play in the pockets, likes to get on the ball.
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"You’re feeling if Ameobi or Grabban make a run, then he’s the most likely to find them.
"I think at the weekend, the manager went with (Ryan) Yates, probably in a reaction to try and stop (Wayne) Rooney.
"This is probably his ideal element and the one that (Lamouchi) picks when he’s trying to play on the front-foot and win the game"
Tiago has already made 43 appearances for Forest across all competitions this season, starting 33 of Forest's 42 Championship games, including the clash with Fulham.
