Including Michael Dawson in Nottingham Forest’s game against Derby County was a risk that boss Sabri Lamouchi simply couldn’t take, according to Nottinghamshire Live.
The centre-back was with the squad as they spent Friday night together at a hotel close to the City Ground. Lamouchi resisted the temptation to hand him a place in his 18 as the Reds entertained their fierce rivals.
Dawson has missed the last five fixtures after suffering a calf injury during the 3-2 victory over Stoke City in September.
He had returned to training in the lead up to the Derby game but Lamouchi has explained his omission from the team.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “Before the international break and he has only had three training sessions. I couldn’t take a risk, for me, for us and for him.
“We decided to take Michael to the hotel with us before the game, he was very important for me, very important for the group that he will be ready.
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“Dawson will work then have two days off, like the rest of the injured players.”
The 35-year-old had played in every league fixture up until the Stoke City fixture. That particular night was bittersweet for Forest who went top of the table but saw Dawson leave the action injured.
Decision
When Dawson is fully recovered it is going to leave Lamouchi with a dilemma. In his absence, both Tobias Figueiredo and Chema Rodriguez have looked solid alongside Joe Worrall and a big decision will need to be made.
Dawson will probably remain the first choice when he is fully fit but Figueiredo and Rodriguez might feel a little hard done by if the veteran does slot straight back in.
Forest also have Yohan Benalouane and Michael Hefele pushing hard for returns to the team. The strength in depth in a key area on the pitch certainly makes a refreshing change to the club.
The Reds will need to call upon their entire squad throughout the campaign. Dawson’s return will be timely but they are in no way desperate for him to get back on the pitch.
At 35, Dawson won’t be playing forever and perhaps this little spell with him on the sidelines will have done Lamouchi good. If nothing else it has allowed him to have a proper look at his other options in match situations.
Dawson, for now, will probably remain a first-team regular if he is fit. Getting him back on the pitch will be useful but Forest have shown in recent weeks that this squad is strong and one key injury isn’t going to prove as catastrophic as it perhaps has done in the past.
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