Martin O’Neill wanted to add a little physical presence to his Nottingham Forest side – but says that does not mean he wanted to build a team of ‘brutes’.

The Reds boss felt that his side had been a little lightweight during the course of the season.

And, against a strong, powerful Preston side, he picked a starting XI that included physical presence in the form of players like Daryl Murphy up front and Ryan Yates in midfield – while central defensive duo Yohan Benalouane and Alexander Milosevic were again no-nonsense in their approach.

But O’Neill says Forest players do not all have to be six foot tall, in order to be competitive – and wants players who are physically strong, but who can also play.

“I think that we have been described, through the course of this season, as being a bit lightweight,” he said.

Nottingham Forest's Joao Carvalho, Diogo Goncalves, Leo Bonatini and Yohan Benalouane warm up before the match against West Bromwich Albion

“I think you are not going to change that overnight. But I do not just want big brutes in the team – I want players who can play and who are strong enough to be able to withstand challenges in this league.

It is a really demanding league, there is no question of that. But, for instance, Ben Osborn is five foot nothing at the end of the day – and he is competing.

“There is a chance for everyone.”

Murphy played well alongside Lewis Grabban up front, as Forest adopted a midfield diamond, with Joe Lolley having a free role behind the front two and Jack Colback sitting as the anchor in front of the back four, while Osborn and Yates played as orthodox midfielders.

“Daryl did really well. Everyone standing around here would know about Murphy. He is the same age as me and it is very, very difficult,” joked O’Neill.

“He would have a problem lasting the course of the game. But today was a day for some physical strength, because we knew they would apply that at some stage or another.

Daryl Murphy heads the ball on

“Preston are a fine side; a fine team in good form at the moment. But Murphy did fine in the game, he really did fine.  I was pleased with him and I was pleased with the team.

“Benalouane does sometimes go for things that he should not do. He should use that experience he has.  But, overall, he has been excellent since he has come in here.

“I am obviously pleased with him, even if there are things we can iron out with him – with both of the central defenders, to be fair. I think that would go for the whole team, as well.”

O’Neill has been pleased with the impact made by Milosevic and Benalouane – and believes there is also more to come from Molla Wague, when he is up to speed, fitness wise.

“We had a problem here in the centre of the defence, which was common knowledge. We knew that Tobias and Daws were going to be out for some time, so we had to get somebody in and we signed Benalouane almost immediately,” he said.

Jack Colback leaves the pitch with Alexander Milosevic after Nottingham Forest's draw at Preston North End

“We have signed Wague as well and he is just getting fitter at the moment, which is the same for the other loan players that we signed. They are just getting up to the speed of the game.

“I don’t want to overemphasise the point, but this is a tough league and you have to be at it almost all of the time.

“We conceded a free-kick right at the end, for example, and it would have been devastating to concede a goal so late in the match.”