If you asked a neutral to name the most important player at Nottingham Forest, you would probably get a range of different answers.

Brice Samba would get a mention following his fine displays in goal this season and the marauding Matty Cash at right-back is certainly up there with the best outside the Premier League in his position.

Perhaps the most popular responses would be saved for the final third though. Joe Lolley has shown time and time again that he can produce quality with his left-foot, whilst Lewis Grabban is as reliable a goalscorer as you can get at this level.

That’s not to say any of these individuals are not the most talented at the City Ground but if you’re looking solely at importance, one man stands out – Samba Sow.

When the Reds completed the signing of a 30-year-old midfielder who has spent his career at mid-table clubs in France, Turkey and Russia, you would have forgiven the fans for being slightly underwhelmed.

The announcement of Sow’s arrival came just days before the season started and amidst a summer of real change at Forest, this is a deal that certainly went under the radar.

However, fast-forward seven-and-a-half months and the Mali international is the man that could be decisive as the East Midlands outfit finally look to end their stay outside the Premier League.

That’s because Forest’s record with Sow in their team is staggering.

In the 18 league games that he has featured in, Sabri Lamouchi’s men have lost only once – away to Huddersfield back in December. In those games, Forest have collected 39 points and they have played Leeds (x2), West Brom, Brentford (x2) and Fulham.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that if you averaged that over the course of the season then the team would be leading the way at the top of the Championship.

The fact Sow has such an influence on the team may come as a surprise to those who don’t watch Forest regularly as he isn’t someone who would naturally catch the eye by scoring a long-ranger or by making a defence-splitting pass. No goals and one assist in the league proves that.

Even defensively, it’s rare to see the ex-Dynamo Moscow man throw himself in front of a shot like Joe Worrall would or to crash into challenges as midfield partner Ben Watson does.

Instead, Sow relies on his excellent reading of the game to ensure he is always in the right position and he is smart with the ball, giving those in front a platform to perform. Meanwhile, physically he can dominate his opponent and that has been crucial in certain games as well.

Clearly, the problem for Forest has been keeping the midfielder fit, with a knee complaint the reason why he has featured in less than 50% of their games this season.

And, that is why Forest could be the team to benefit most from the enforced break that the Football League is currently under as it gives Sow, who has missed the last four games, time to get fit.

QUIZ: Today’s higher or lower Nottingham Forest quiz – Can you score 15 out of 15?

Realistically, a ten-point gap to second place is too much to make up at this stage of the campaign, so Forest’s only concern will be cementing their place in the play-offs. Lamouchi’s side hold a five-point cushion over seventh, therefore there is still work for them to do on that front.

If they can do that though, and have Sow back involved for the play-offs, they could be the team to beat for those high-pressure games, because if their midfield maestro plays, the chances are they won’t lose.