The 'real plus' for Nottingham Forest as Steve Cooper prepares for decisive few weeks

Having Lewis Grabban back has given Nottingham Forest a lift at a crucial time, as they head into a decisive final nine-match run-in.

Boss Steve Cooper was pleased to see the front man get a good reception when he made his return from a lengthy lay-off on Saturday. But he remained coy over whether Grabban is ready to start games, as the Reds prepare to host Coventry City on Wednesday night.

The 34-year-old was sidelined for two months after suffering an ankle injury against Cardiff City at the end of January. He came off the bench in the 4-1 thumping of Blackpool at the weekend, though, and looked as though he had never been away.

Asked if there is still a need to be careful with Grabban so soon after his comeback, Cooper said: “In the end, we’ll see. When he ends up starting a game, that’s when we’ll find out.

“There’s no complete science to say that a player is ready to start and play 90 minutes. But what you do is try to prepare them as best you can, and put them in when you feel they are ready.

“He hadn’t had a load of training sessions before Saturday. But Lewis, being the age and with the experience he has, knows his body better than anybody else.

“You have to go a little bit off what he’s saying as well. And he felt he was ready to go in the way that he did.

“It was great to see him go on, to have him back. You could see the reception he got from the supporters as well.

“He looked sharp. He looked good. He’d looked good in training as well. He’s never been away, but to have him back on the training pitch is a real plus.

“He has the experience and he has the know-how. He’s still been very visible around the place while he’s been injured, but now he’s back on the training pitch it just gives everybody a lift.”