Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says he couldn’t think of “a good reason” to change his goalkeepers for Monday night’s FA Cup tie.
Brice Samba has been first-choice this season, and was available again after a three-match suspension.
But he had to settle for a place on the bench against Huddersfield Town as Cooper opted to stick with summer signing Ethan Horvath between the posts.
The American had impressed in Samba’s absence, keeping clean-sheets against Preston North End and Bristol City, as well as making a number of good saves.
And he did well again as the Reds booked a quarter-final spot by seeing off the Terriers 2-1 at the City Ground.
“He’s been excellent in the three games. He’s had to wait for his opportunity - similar to Sam (Surridge),” Cooper said of Horvath,
“He’s a good professional and a good guy.
“I’m not sure what I would have said to him if I’d made the change. I couldn’t think of a good reason.
“We’ve got two good goalkeepers who are going to fight for that spot. That’s what we want in every position.
“They are good problems to have, even though they are tough ones at times.”
Horvath was beaten by a Tom Lees header early on in the fifth round tie, after Sam Surridge had seen a goal controversially ruled out for offside. But he made important saves to deny Duane Holmes, Sorba Thomas and Danny Ward.
The shot-stopper was helped by another solid performance from the three-man back line in front of him of Joe Worrall, Steve Cook and Scott McKenna.
And at the other end of the pitch, goals from Surridge and Ryan Yates sent the Reds through to the next round.
“I thought the back three were excellent again, and Ethan made some really important saves," Cooper added.
