Steve Cotterill has welcomed loan signings Higginbotham and Wootton

Higginbotham, a graduate of Manchester United’s academy, arrives on a temporary deal from Stoke City after being starved of first-team football this season, making just two appearances in the Premier League.Wootton, also a Manchester United youth product, joins from the Red Devils after spending the first-half of the season at Peterborough with fellow United player Ryan Tunnicliffe.And Cotterill is adamant the duo will help shore up Forest's defence as they battle against relegation from the Championship.Speaking to the club’s official website, Cotterill said: "Scott is a good footballer, he's composed. He's a big lad and played very well against us here for Peterborough - he actually played in midfield that day - and he will bring a bit of youthful exuberance to us."It wasn't too costly to bring him in and we're bringing in an experienced player in Danny Higginbotham."He will bring good leadership skills to the dressing room and not just the back four. He's a good type and when you are up against it you need good types."Forest lost 2-0 to Burnley at the City Ground on Wednesday night as Cotterill handed debuts to teenage defender Jamaal Lascelles and Wolves loanee Adlene Guedioura.The 47-year-old praised Lascelle and Guedioura's impact after the game but lamented the void Wes Morgan’s departure to Leicester City has left. He continued: "We went in with a young man in Jamaal Lascelles who I thought did very well. "He played against a very good young striker in Jay Rodriguez, who I signed a few years ago, and I thought he was excellent. His movement for both goals was very good."But had he been against an experienced campaigner in someone like Wes Morgan maybe those opportunities might not have come."It was a good learning curve for Jamaal tonight but I think he can be proud of his performance."Adlene was very energetic and I thought he did some very good things."