SEAN O'Driscoll believes Andy Reid is in the form of his career – and has backed the midfielder to be a future captain of Nottingham Forest.
The Irishman had a hand in both goals as the Reds secured a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Burnley, to further enhance his status as one of the most important players at the club.
It is a transformation from last season, when Reid struggled to hold down a regular place in the side for long periods.
But, aside from a recent spell when he was injured, the player has featured in every game during this campaign.
O'Driscoll insists the 30-year-old has always had quality – but is also showing that he has the attitude to match.
"As people get older, they get more mature. He has not had a bad career, that is for sure. But he still wants to achieve something at Forest. If he has that attitude, he is going to be a real asset for us," said the Forest boss.
"He is the one who, when you look at the team sheet as an opposition manager, you would be worried about him popping up in dangerous positions and causing you problems.
"He is difficult to mark and he creates something when he is on the ball.
"He has another year on his contract. He is reliable, he is a good bloke in the dressing room and he always has an opinion. You can talk to him. He is captain material.
"Andy is a creator. He is somebody who trains really well. I was really impressed with him when I was here last season."
O'Driscoll says Reid has benefited from the hard work he put in over the summer to get himself in shape.
"He lost a lot of weight in the summer," he said. "He trains really well. When he wasn't in the team last season, when I walked off the training pitch, I still always thought to myself that he was one of the better players. It was just a case of trying to get him into the team.
"He was prepared to back himself defensively. When people look at him, they know he is good on the ball, but do they believe he can do the other hard graft?
"He always said 'give me a chance and I will do it'. Steve (Cotterill) gave him that chance last season and he did it and he has carried that on and maintained his form.
"I have thought about resting him from time to time, but we haven't really got another player like him. He is technically very good and the strikers like playing with him.
"People make runs off him because they believe he will spot it. If you are a striker, you would want Andy Reid in your team.
"He says he played against Cafu, who is the most adventurous full-back ever known – and Andy reckons he did a job on him. If he can do a job on Cafu, he can play in the Championship.
"He is never going to be svelte like, but he is fit and he works very hard in training. Throughout the time I have been here, he has always done that."
Striker Dexter Blackstock, who headed home a Reid cross to put Forest ahead, added: "Everyone knows Andy Reid is quality, but that is what he is in the side to do. He can produce that little bit extra."
