Shoring up Nottingham Forest’s back line was a priority for Chris Hughton when he arrived at the City Ground.
And the Reds boss has been “delighted” with the part central defensive pairing Scott McKenna and Tobias Figueiredo have played in that.
Forest recorded their second clean-sheet of the season at the weekend, as Wycombe Wanderers were beaten 2-0 in the final outing before the international break - both shutouts having come since Hughton’s appointment.
Figueiredo and summer signing McKenna have been ever-presents in the heart of the defence during the new manager’s seven games - and both have impressed.
"I've been delighted with both,” Hughton told NottinghamshireLive. “In this division and on Saturday especially, you've got to be men.
"They competed. The fact they've played every game here means they need rest.
"Unfortunately Scott won't get that with Scotland as they've got three games. Toby has been here a while. Scott hasn't.
"I've been delighted with them."
The duo’s form has left highly-rated teenager Loic Mbe Soh having to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks.
The 19-year-old looked to have plenty of promise when he featured twice under Hughton’s predecessor, Sabri Lamouchi, after signing from PSG.
"I've been really pleased with Mbe Soh in training,” Hughton added. “He's probably a little bit unfortunate.
“He's come in and played a couple of games at the start of the season.
"The two centre halves at the moment have played at a good level so I've chosen not to change them."
