Mark Warburton has been delighted with the level of improvement Toumani Diagouraga has made over the course of the season.

The Brentford midfielder was on the fringes of the squad and feted to go out on loan in the summer and early stages of the season.

But, ever since playing against Watford at the end of September, Diagouraga has become one of the first names on the team sheet and is, for many supporters, the most improved player this season.

Warburton said: “I knew Toumani from Watford. He need to have the self-belief. He would have two good games but he needed that consistency.

Impressed: David Button

“He’s got that now and now he can dominate the games. He’s dominating games. Toumani is almost the pulse of the team.

“He can keep the shape and pick up the second ball. I can’t speak high enough about Toumani.

“We’ve got a tight squad and we’ve seen that improvement.”

Warburton is not a man to single out individuals for praise, without giving due reference to his squad.

Getting better and better: Stuart Dallas

He added: “David Button has improved in terms of dominating his box. His distribution is Premier League standard which is a testament to him and Simon Royce.

“I think Moses is the best right back in the division. He has two great feet and good on the one v ones.

“Look at Jake Bidwell. Dougie, Jon Toral, Jota came and had to be adapted to the level of the game in terms of English football in demands.

“We started giving him 60 to 65 minutes but he can now play 90 back to back. Stuart Dallas has got better and better.”