Alex Mighten has heaped praise on January recruits Filip Krovinovic and James Garner for the impact they have made since joining Nottingham Forest.

Chris Hughton brought in three new players in the January window, with Glenn Murray adding depth in the striking department and penning a deal until the end of the season from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Before Murray's arrival, Hughton was to add two new options to his midfield, with Filip Krovinovic and James Garner arriving on loan from West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United respectively.

The midfield duo have both been regular starters under Chris Hughton, each making 12 appearances in the Championship and adding creativity in the middle of the park.

Krovinovic scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw with Brentford last time out. Garner, meanwhile, picked up the captain's armband towards the end of the game, perhaps typifying the influence he has had on Forest despite being only 20 years of age.

Mighten has endured a steady season on Trentside. The winger, who burst onto the first-team scene last season, has made 16 appearances in the Championship this season, scoring two goals and making only eight starts.

The 18-year-old continues to improve and impress, though, and has heaped praise on the impact both Krovinovic and Garner have made since joining the club in January.

Speaking to FLW about the differences they have made and how they help his game, Mighten said: "We've made a big improvement. They all offer something different, but they are very technical players and they really help us tick.

"For someone like me, it's always good to have some more control in midfield and it's really helpful.

"There's competition for places in every single position, and it's good in a way because you can't be too comfortable and you always have to strive for more.

"But they have made a big difference, and it just adds more flavour and variety to the midfield options that we already have."

The Verdict

Mighten is everything you want to see in a young, homegrown player.

He is such a down-to-earth, friendly, humble character who is willing to learn, but is also very confident in his ability.

This season, he has struggled for regular game time, but by the end of the campaign, he will have made around 25 first-team appearances which is what would have been the plan in the summer.

Forest had been lacking creativity, and whilst scoring goals remains an issue, they do control games a lot more now with both Krovinovic and Garner in the team.