Captain Michael Dawson returns as Forest take on rivals Derby

Posted Friday, November 08, 2019 by PA

Nottingham Forest will have club captain Michael Dawson available for their Sky Bet Championship clash with local rivals Derby.

Centre-back Dawson has missed the last five matches with a calf injury he sustained during his side’s match at Stoke in September.

Samba Sow and Alfa Semedo are both nearing a return, according to manager Sabri Lamouchi, although the game against the Rams is expected to come too soon for the midfield pair.

On the long-term injured list are Tenday Darikwa, who remains out for the season with a knee injury, while Yohan Benalouane (back), Michael Hefele (Achilles) and Carl Jenkinson (ankle) could return soon.

Scott Malone has been ruled out of Derby’s squad.

The defender sustained an injury to his knee during the Rams’ 2-0 win against Middlesbrough last Saturday.

Malone is expected to be replaced by Max Lowe, who also took over from the left-back at the weekend.

Derby manager Phillip Cocu has no other fresh injury concerns, although Tom Huddlestone (knee) and Ikechi Anya (calf) remain sidelined, while Craig Forsyth continues to build up his fitness after missing nearly a year with a knee injury.