Calderwood: Prove It!

It will be first versus second when Forest travel to Tranmere tomorrow.

And, although he knows it is early in the season, Calderwood believes the game will be a real test of Forest’s mettle, as they come up against one of the sides he fancies to be among the promotion contenders.

A win would stretch Forest’s advantage at the top, but Calderwood feels producing a good performance would also send out a positive message to the rest of the division.

‘It is a big game for us, without a doubt, one that whets the appetite,’ he said.

‘We have got a big incentive because they are the team right behind us and they will jump above us if we lose.

‘The most important thing is to go up against one of our main contenders and see how we do.

‘The result is most important, but so is the performance.’

Forest will be boosted by the return of Kris Commons, who is likely to be on the bench after proving his fitness in the reserves on Wednesday.

‘Kris will be in the squad, which is a boost,’ said Calderwood. ‘He has been out for seven weeks, but he is a quality player, which you could see in the reserves.

‘That quality does not get you a result tomorrow if he is not 100% happy with himself and his body and we have to be a wee bit careful with what we do with him.

‘He is not going to last 90 minutes – he was in top condition and he is not at the level now that he was in pre-season.

‘He will be gasping for breath at some points, as will Scott (Dobie) but we will get a massive progression out of them once they have played a few matches. But it is good to have him back.’

NEP