Chris Powell has praised Joel Lynch as the Huddersfield Town centre-back prepares to face former clubs Nottingham Forest and Brighton in successive Championship matches.

The Wales international played 95 times for Brighton, where he began his career, and 90 for Saturday’s hosts Forest before joining Town in 2012.

Monday’s 2-1 home win over Ipswich Town was his 83rd Town appearance, and he has scored seven goals, taking his career haul to 12.

Town manager Powell, whose side head to Brighton on Tuesday, said: “Both Joel and my captain Mark Hudson have been outstanding of late.

“Joel is a sort of quiet leader and he has played a key role in our run of four points from the last two games.

“It’s strange that we are facing both his former clubs in our next two games, and it’s a challenge he will enjoy.”

Town, who have another former Forest player in striker Ishmael Miller, took a big step towards ensuring second-tier safety by beating Ipswich.

But Powell insists there will be no let up in the bid to better last season’s 17th-placed finish and the 2012-13 points tally of 58.

“We had two crucial matches over Easter, and the four points were very, very welcome,” he said.

“But we still aren’t mathematically safe, and we still want to produce the best finish since this club returned to the Championship in 2012.”

Town have lost their last five games at Forest and are seeking a first City Ground success since 2000.