Nottingham Forest captain Michael Dawson has fully recovered from injury and is ready to take his place back in the matchday squad, according to the Nottingham Post.
The central defender has been out since the end of December, when he was forced off during Forest’s 3-2 victory over Stoke.
But following the two week international break, the former top-flight defender told the Nottingham Post that he has fully recovered and is more determined than ever to get back on the pitch.
“I’m fully fit again. I’ve been back training and we were very cautious with the injury.”
“The manager was fantastic and the medical staff were great. They were holding me back a little bit! I was wanting to get back out there! But as you get older, things take a little bit longer. With what happened last year, we didn’t want it to happen again.”
Dawson was considered to be fit enough to play in Nottingham Forest’s final game before the international break against East Midlands rivals Derby County, but was not risked, however he is expected to be included in the team as Forest return to Sky Bet Championship action this weekend.
However, Dawson does not expect to just walk back into the team, and knows he will have to fight for his position.
He said: “You’ve got to fight a lot harder to come back as you get older, and it gives someone else the opportunity to take your shirt. I appreciate that.”
“You have to work even harder on the training ground to try to get that shirt back.”
