INJURIES, YES, BUT MATTY HAS FAITH THE REDS CAN CASH IN...
NOTTINGHAM Forest remain in the grip of a defensive crisis ahead of tomorrow’s crunch trip to Pride Park. Veteran skipper Michael Dawson, who limped off against Ipswich a fortnight ago, has reportedly torn a hamstring and is expected to be out for up to six weeks. Danny Fox, meanwhile, suffered a setback in his return from a foot injury and may not return until after Christmas. Coupled with a suspension for Tobias Figueiredo, manager Aitor Karanka may be forced to field the same makeshift back four that suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Preston last weekend. At the time, Karanka had spoken optimistically of the injured pair returning for the East Midlands derby. “We have nine or ten days to prepare for the game, so let’s see what is happening,” he said. Now those hopes have been dashed, leaving Forest to face their biggest rivals at a bogey ground shorn of a defence that has kept nine clean sheets in 21 games. The Reds have not won at Pride Park since January 2015, when Ben Osborn hit a late winner to save - briefly - Stuart Pearce’s skin. In three visits since, they have lost 1-0, 3-0 and 2-0. Frank Lampard’s Rams, meanwhile, have lost just twice at home all season – to Leeds and Aston Villa – and are currently on a run of three wins from four matches. The omens do not bode well for a Forest side just three points adrift of their opponents, but midfielder Matty Cash confidently brushed off suggestions that Derby have caught his side at a good time. “We have a much stronger team this year and that feels like a massive factor for us,” said the 21-year-old, who has scored five goals in 22 games this term. “Our away form has been really good this season. We beat Hull recently, and I think away from home we are a brilliant side now. “We know Derby are up there. We know that they are a good side. But we also know that we are, too. “We also know how good this squad is. Yes, we’ve got injuries. But we have the confidence to go out and perform because we know that whatever team the gaffer picks, it will be one that can do a good job. We’re going there to win and there isn’t a single person in that dressing room who doesn’t think we’ll get it.”