Sign up NOW for the latest Reds news and views direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Diogo Goncalves will be an "important" player for Nottingham Forest this season, even if he has had to bide his time, waiting for an opportunity.

That is the message from Aitor Karanka, who was poised to bring the winger on for what would have been his fourth appearance in a Forest shirt, shortly before the Reds were awarded the game-changing penalty against Rotherham United.

Lewis Grabban found the back of the net and Goncalves found himself sat back on the bench with Liam Bridcutt instead introduced, as Forest looked to see the game out in the final stages.

But, as Forest prepare to face Stoke City in the EFL Cup, the on-loan Benfica player does have a good chance of being involved.

Goncalves’ two starts so far have come on the opening day at Bristol City and against Bury in the EFL Cup, while the 21-year-old also came off the bench against West Brom.

And, while he has otherwise had to remain patient for his chance, Karanka says that should not lead people to presume he does not have a significant part to play in the squad, moving forward.

(Image: Ritchie Sumpter @ JMS Photography)

Instead, Karanka says his lack of involvement so far is more a reflection of the form of other players in the squad, than it is on him.

“Yes, he is an important player for us still,” said Karanka.

“He was not going to go to the pitch when we were winning 5-0, it was 0-0 and he would have gone onto the pitch to give us something.

“He is important for me. But it is also true that the players like Ben Osborn, Matty Cash, Joao Carvalho, Gil Dias and Joe Lolley are playing really well for us. So he knows that he needs to wait for his chance.

“But the best example of how important he is to us is that he was getting ready to come on to the pitch before we got the goal.

“We were going to bring him on when the game was 0-0 and he will still be an important player for us this season. His chance will come.”

(Image: Ritchie Sumpter @ JMS Photography)

Another Forest sub, Joe Lolley, had played a key role in Forest’s goal on Saturday, sending Ben Osborn darting into the box with a precision pass, where Osborn was brought down for the penalty, which was converted by Grabban.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

And Karanka has been happy with the impact made by the players coming on this season – and hopes it is becoming one of Forest’s strengths.

“Since the beginning of the season, the players who have come on from the bench have always made an impact. That is important,” he said.

“It means that the people on the bench are always ready to play.”