Mark Lawrenson makes key claim on Nottingham Forest duo

Former Liverpool defender and current pundit Mark Lawrenson believes Nottingham Forest duo Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence can play at a higher level, making this statement as he delivered his FA Cup predictions for BBC Sport.

The pair have been two of the Reds’ brightest sparks this term, with Spence arriving on loan from Championship rivals Middlesbrough during the summer window deadline day and almost immediately proving himself to be a crucial asset at the City Ground.

He only improved when Steve Cooper arrived at the club, with him and Max Lowe establishing themselves as two of the second-tier side’s most influential players at wing-back, also plying their trade in a more defensive full-back role when needed too.

He was the subject of interest from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United in the January window, with that Sky Sports report being the tip of the iceberg with teams from across Europe monitoring his current situation.

His partner on the right-hand side in Brennan Johnson also has no shortage of interest in his signature, taking the step up to Championship football seamlessly following a successful loan spell with Lincoln City last term and recording 10 goals and five assists in 33 league appearances this season.

Premier League outfit Brentford failed in their attempts to recruit the Welsh international during the winter period – but BBC pundit and commentator Lawrenson believes he and Spence could ply their trade in a more prestigious division than the second tier.

He said: “Nottingham Forest’s league form is not as consistent as that but they have already had two brilliant wins in the FA Cup, knocking out Arsenal and holders Leicester at the City Ground.

“This is a very different kind of occasion,