Keinan Davis gave Nottingham Forest a massive lift as he was able to return to the squad for the play-off semi-final first leg win at Sheffield United on Saturday.
Davis played the last 13 minutes of the 2-1 win as Forest take a precious lead into Tuesday's second leg at the City Ground. Now former Reds striker Marlon Harewood says Davis should start in place of Sam Surridge despite the ex-Stoke City forward's fine form of late.
"For me, in my opinion, before I get in trouble, he should be starting," Harewood said on the latest episode of the Garibaldi Red podcast. "Defenders will be scared. Even if he's not scoring he's a threat because defenders have to get close to him, but they don't want to fight him because he's a strong lad.
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"He brings other players in to play. For me, he's a guaranteed starter if he's fit. He can cause all sorts of havoc. Surridge has done really well, but Zinckernagel has been better playing as that number ten. I'm sorry to say it, but I think Davis should start with Zinckernagel behind him."
Despite calling for Surridge to drop to the bench, Harewood is a fan of the 23-year-old, who has scored eight goals since his January move to the City Ground. He might have added to his tally at Bramall Lane, but for some unusually tentative finishing and though Harewood recognised that, he thinks Surridge can be a part of the attack for years to come.
"It will be in the back of your mind (missed chances) but you have to keep going and put that right. You have a job to do. They've got a good lead going into the second game," he said.
"He did well with the clearance off the line and he reminds me of myself. I'm not going to say he's better than me. He's got a way to go with that!
"He's done really well. He's been a really good piece of recruitment. I think he needs to practice his finishing but his overall game, his strength, is fantastic to watch. Hopefully he's part of the line-up for years to come."
