Nottingham Forest boss Steve Copper joked Ryan Yates "isn't the best" at dropping to the bench.
But he has praised the midfielder’s attitude as he responded not only by coming on to score an important goal, but also by putting in the work on the training ground.
Yates has been a key player under Cooper, putting in some fine performances as the Reds have climbed the Championship table.
He was left out of the starting XI against Stoke City last Saturday, but was brought on with eight minutes to go and scored a header in stoppage time to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Asked if that gives him a selection headache for Friday night’s clash at Bournemouth, Cooper told NottinghamshireLive: “I’d rather that be the difficulty than the opposite.
“I wouldn’t say Yatesy is the best sub in the world! You can imagine how that conversation went!
“But that’s Yatesy. Says something, shuts his mouth, gets on and scores a really important goal. And is first on the training pitch the next day, like he always is - and the last off.”
The equaliser at the City Ground was Yates’ fourth goal of the season, from 32 appearances.
He has played a big part in getting Forest towards the top end of the table ahead of facing the Cherries, with Cooper’s side sitting seventh in the table.
“Yatesy is right in the middle of what we’re doing, in terms of the availability,” the head coach said.
“He has played a lot of games, and will play a lot of games - as long as he keeps doing what he has been doing.
“The attitude and the mindset of the guy is brilliant. And he would do anything for this football club - and does.
“There’s no problem with Yatesy, that’s for sure.”
