THANKFULLY Paul McKenna could be back before the season is out after a scan revealed his knee injury is not as bad as first feared.

It is great news because he is Forest's talisman, the skipper who guides the team through games.

It feels, at present, like he is irreplaceable, such is his influence on the push for promotion to the Premiership.

There is still time for manager Billy Davies to bring in a replacement on loan, to try to tempt a wily veteran from the Premiership to act as a stand-in.

But, closer to home, a massive opportunity has arisen for Guy Moussi or Lewis McGugan to take.

The latter came on when McKenna was injured against Swansea and set up Luke Chambers' winning goal with a sublime delivery.

But if ever there was a time to stand up and make people take notice, this is it.

For Moussi, we have seen his potential, we know he can be a great player. But injuries have hampered his progress, affecting his consistency.

But he has the potential to play that holding role, to make the team tick and do the simple things in the centre of the park.

McGugan (pictured), as we all know, has bags of skill and can change games but he too could fill this more disciplined role that is crucial to the team.

McKenna goes about his work quitely but effectively and as a result, he keeps the team ticking. As Forest push for promotion, it is not about individuals, it is about the team and that is what has got them this far.

For Moussi and McGugan, if they can follow orders from Davies and use the example of McKenna, they can make a huge impact on the team.

It will be a time for a disciplined head, to play the role in the way it is intended to help the team.

It might not look spectacular but, done properly, it can help achieve spectacular things in winning promotion to the Premiership.

They are big boots to fill, but never has Moussi or McGugan been provided with such a great opportunity to make a real impact on the Reds' fortunes this season.