Commons Return Imminent

The Nottingham Forest manager has been robbed of Commons’ services all season after he injured his ankle during the summer.

Now with the Reds enduring their first blip of the campaign – taking one point from their last two games – Calderwood can’t wait to introduce the livewire winger.

He said: ‘I’m very hopeful he’ll be close for Tranmere. But whether that’s just part of the squad, on the bench or in the team I don’t know.

‘It would be amazing if he was in the team, but if he’s on the bench that would be almost pushing it.

‘He’s not 100% yet and he knows that. He felt fantastic through pre-season and he wants to get as close to that level as possible.’

Commons took part in his first game since pre-season in last week’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Coventry City.

He came through an hour of that match but knows he faces a test to break straight back into the side.

He will either have to convince Calderwood he can play in the manager’s favoured 3-5-2 formation or persuade him to change the system.

‘We haven’t really been playing with wide attacking players; we’ve been more solid at the back,’ said Commons. ‘You can see that from the clean sheets we’ve been keeping.

‘But Colin is not scared of rotation even if we are winning. He’s not scared to swap and change positions.’

Along with Commons, Scott Dobie has also returned to the first team set-up, while Nathan Tyson is on the mend from knee ligament damage and could be back sooner than anticipated.

NEP