Midfielder Ryan Yates accepts he has a fight on his hands to win back a place in the Nottingham Forest team.
The 21-year-old has been stepping up his recovery from a knee injury which required surgery and is nearing a return to training with the rest of the squad.
Yates has not yet featured for the Reds this term after the long-standing problem flared up again when he reported back for pre-season training.
He is itching to get back out on the pitch, but with head coach Sabri Lamouchi particularly blessed with options in midfield, he knows he must prove himself to earn a starting spot.
“I was gutted as I started pre-season really well,” Yates said of his injury. “It was a long-term knee problem that I had that needed to get sorted out.
“It seems like it’s been ages since I last played so I am chomping at the bit to get back out on the grass and get with the lads again.
“The recovery has been going really well and mentally I am in a good place.
“Obviously, it is about using this time to work on things that I couldn’t work on before and I feel like I will be coming back in a better place and fighting for the shirt again.”
Yates had to watch from the sidelines as Forest built up some momentum before the international break, putting together a seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Their only defeat so far came on the opening day when they fell at home to West Bromwich Albion, and they make the trip to Swansea City this weekend just a point adrift of the top six.
Yates says proving difficult to beat is one of the main differences from last year, as Lamouchi’s men look to mount a promotion push this time around.
“In a difference to last year we have found a bit more consistency, which is something that is really hard to come by in the Championship,” the Nigel Doughty Academy product told the club website.
“If we can keep winning our home games and picking up points away then I am sure we will be fine.”
Yates was speaking while on a visit to St Ann’s Wells Academy as the club handed over some free tickets to the City Ground clash with Barnsley a week tomorrow as part of the Under-11s for £1 promotion.
