STEVE McClaren has welcomed the return of Simon Dawkins and says the forward can add balance and goals to Derby County's team.
Dawkins was a regular starter before a hip-flexor injury forced him to miss five matches.
He made his first start in eight games on Tuesday and his two goals, both excellent finishes, helped Derby beat Fulham 5-2 at Craven Cottage and book a place in the last eight of the Capital One Cup.
The 26-year-old's first goal came from a ferocious drive high across Gabor Kiraly and into the far top corner of the net.
His second was an audacious back-heel volley from Johnny Russell's centre.
He scored an identical goal playing for Jamaica against Egypt in June.
"That is what Dawkins can do," said McClaren.
"I think he's a great player. He keeps the ball for us, gives us good balance on the left and has got a good understanding with Craig Forsyth, Craig Bryson and Chris Martin.
"When he is fit, he is a hell of a player for us.
"He was too negative in the first half at Fulham but in the second half he was so positive and got his rewards."
All of Derby's goals in the 5-2 win came in a 20-minute spell from added time at the end of the first half to the 65th minute.
"That is what we can do when we attack like we can, and play aggresively, and play forward," said McClaren.
Dawkins has scored seven goals in 43 games for Derby since he arrived from Tottenham Hotspur, initially on loan before his move was made permanent in January.
He was the target of criticism earlier this season when his substitution in the matches at Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic was cheered by some fans but his double at Fulham had the 3,000-plus travelling support on its feet applauding.
McClaren was also delighted to see midfielder Paul Coutts back in first-team action at Fulham.
Coutts came off the bench to replace Omar Mascarell after 68 minutes.
"It's brilliant to have him back," said McClaren.
"I had not seen him play, I have seen him train, and so it was nice to get him 15 to 20 minutes and he did the job for us."
Defender Ryan Shotton and striker Leon Best did not make the squad for the Fulham tie due to illness.
"They would have played," said McClaren, who hopes both will be well enough to feature in the squad for Saturday's league game at Brentford.
