Nottingham Forest have been handed a significant fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s game with Derby County, with boss Sabri Lamouchi confirming that Michael Dawson could be in the squad.

The Reds’ skipper has been absent since hobbling off against Stoke City back in September but he could be in contention to make a return this weekend.

Chema Rodriguez and Tobias Figueiredo are both more than capable deputies, however, having Dawson back alongside Joe Worrall at the back can only be a good thing for Forest.

The 35-year-old struggled with injury last season and it had been feared that Dawson might have suffered another troublesome problem that would curtail a large chunk of his campaign.

That doesn’t appear to be the case, however, and having a leader like Dawson in the ranks for a game like Saturday’s can only bode well for the Reds.

Michael Dawson, Nottingham Forest – (Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Dawson has only tasted defeat once in the league during his second spell back at Forest and that came on the opening day of this season against West Brom.

Following that game, he struck up a tremendous partnership alongside Worrall and the pair looked solid in tandem.

This news has come as a massive boost to Forest supporters who are desperate to see their captain feature against the Rams.

Here is a selection of Tweets from supporters regarding Dawson’s availability this weekend:

;

Have something to tell us about this article?