COLIN Calderwood says veteran defender Ian Breckin still has an important role to play in the squad.

Breckin has struggled to force his way in since the arrival of Joel Lynch on loan from Brighton.

The 33-year-old (pictured) has started only four of Forest's 12 Championship matches this season, his last appearance being as part of a solid-looking central defensive trio at Sheffield Wednesday at the end of September.

He has not even featured on the bench in the last two matches, against QPR and Ipswich.

But Calderwood says the club skipper is still an important player.

"Ian has played a part for us already and he will continue to in the future," said Calderwood. "We have settled for Wes and Kelvin in the centre of defence (in the last two games) and we had Joel on the bench who can play at left-back as well, which is why we left Ian out. But he still has a part to play."

Breckin may find himself back in the squad to face Cardiff today, with Julian Bennett sidelined for at least six weeks with a broken collar bone.

Lynch is now likely to be drafted into the team at left-back, which should see Breckin return to the bench, at the very least.

In the meantime, Forest are looking to extend the loan spell of Lynch from Brighton.

"We are very encouraged by what we have seen and he seems to have enjoyed himself here."