Tyson ‘In Good Shape’

Nathan Tyson’s natural fitness levels mean he could be back to his best within a matter of weeks, Colin Calderwood warned the rest of League One today.

The striker made a surprise appearance as a substitute, as Nottingham Forest registered their sixth straight victory with a comfortable 2-0 success over Brentford.

Tyson’s return from a medial ligament injury to his knee – sustained on the opening day of the season – was almost two months ahead of schedule.

The former Wycombe man played only 25 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, but Calderwood felt he was fit enough to be included in the first team squad and gave him 25 minutes of action as a second- half substitute.

The Forest manager believes the striker will soon be back firing on all cylinders.

‘Physically, he is in good shape, we have not had to do much with him in terms of his fitness,’ said Calderwood. ‘Because of his pace, we have not had to do much with him. It is just the stamina side we need to look at. But that will come with matches.

‘Even when he was in his brace he felt he could have taken it off. The good thing is, he has not had a single twinge or setback.

‘He also looks as if he has broadened out a little bit. He has had a lot of weights to do in the gym and a lot of swimming, while he has not been able to run. So he has bulked up a little bit.’

Calderwood revealed that the decision to include Tyson – who will continue his comeback as the reserves face Birmingham tonight – was made late on Friday.

‘He wanted to be involved,’ he said. ‘Medically he is fine and whatever the scenario was, he was a good sub. If we had been level or behind he would have been a good option and if we did find ourselves in a position where we were ahead, it would have been a good chance to bring him on.

‘Fortunately it worked out that way. It was not a last-minute decision. He was very buoyant about it.

‘When we named the subs, the rest of the squad gave him a round of applause. They were pleased to have him back.

‘And I knew it would lift the crowd as well. I was not worried about that, but sometimes you put all the ingredients in that might make a difference and when people saw him in the squad I am sure it gave people a lift. Every time he got up to warm up it got the crowd on their feet.

‘He will play again in the reserves then we will see how he is. The other good news is that Scott Dobie has done really well. He should play in the reserves as well.’

Calderwood believes his players have earned their seven-point advantage through their ‘exceptional’ attitude and he backed his side to maintain the mental strength that has sparked their flying start.


Nottingham Evening Post