Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi could soon see his defensive options boosted by the return of three injured players.
Michael Dawson is ruled out of this weekend’s trip to Luton Town, when the Reds will look to bounce back from successive defeats.
But it is hoped he might be in contention for the following game - a crunch clash with arch-rivals Derby County at the City Ground.
Meanwhile, fellow centre-back Yohan Benalouane has started running again after recovering from surgery on his back, while full-back Carl Jenkinson is “close” to a comeback from an ankle problem.
Benalouane has yet to feature for Lamouchi, with his last appearance in the Garibaldi coming back in April in the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United, when Martin O’Neill was still in charge.
And the Reds boss is looking forward to working with the 32-year-old former Leicester City player.
“He has come back and started to run,” Lamouchi said of Benalouane. “We had never had one session together, so he is a new player.
“But I know him from before because he played in Italy and played in Leicester.
“I know the character and I know the player. He can be important.
“But for the moment I just want to focus on the available players because we have then Derby and after the international break Bristol City and we start again.
“It is step by step.
“The medical department are working well and working hard with all the injured players, so as soon as possible they can come back with me and with the first-team. That is better for them and better for me.”
Dawson has missed the last four matches with a calf injury, having been forced off in the 3-2 win at Stoke City last month.
“He is not 100 percent,” said Lamouchi. “He has started to make some part of training, but not full training.
“I think he will be ready just after Luton.
“But I don’t want to talk about the next game, because this one is important for us to come back in the right way.
“And the right way is to take a point minimum and three points maximum against Luton.
“I know and the players know it will not be easy there, but we are ready for that.”
Summer signing Jenkinson has not played since August, while midfielders Samba Sow (hamstring) and Alfa Semedo (back) have been missing in recent weeks.
“Jenkinson is close as well, and Samba Sow and Alfa Semedo,” Lamouchi added.
“I hope next week, or after the international break, I can give you more positive information about the injured players.”
