Aitor Karanka reveals which Nottingham Forest outcast could return amid injury crisis
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Aitor Karanka revealed that Ben Watson could return to the Nottingham Forest first-team amid the club’s injury crisis in defence. The central midfielder has been short of form this season which had led to him being short of playing time in recent weeks, but Karanka says he could be used as a makeshift defender.
The Forest boss said to Nottingham Live: “We are ready and well-stocked in every position. We need to keep calm and not drive ourselves crazy. We have two players injured and one suspended. But we have other players who can play (at centre-back). Ben Watson can play in that position.”
The Reds will be without the suspended Tobias Figueiredo for Saturday’s Championship clash with Preston North End. After picking up a straight red card against Aston Villa on November 28, the centre-back was given a three-game ban. He missed December’s 2-0 win over Ipswich Town and has two more games to go.
Michael Dawson is currently injured but should return later in December. The 35-year-old was hooked off after 79 minutes against Ipswich Town due to a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the meeting with Preston. Karanka will be left with Jack Robinson and Michael Hefele to partner each other at the heart of the defence.
Watson could find himself back in the matchday squad, seven weeks after his last league outing for Forest, to provide cover in case of injury to the pair.