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Veteran defender Michael Dawson will assist Simon Ireland in the dugout at Reading tomorrow.

Ireland will be caretaker boss as the Reds take on the Royals, following the departure of Aitor Karanka as manager.

And Forest have asked Dawson, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem, to back him up, after being impressed by his influence and attitude during a difficult few days for the club.

Dawson, 35, has been sidelined since December 1 and, while he is almost ready for a return to action on the pitch, Forest hope he can have an influence off it this weekend, as the club look to begin a new chapter after Karanka’s departure, following just over a year in charge.

(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

The club are looking to recruit a replacement for the Spaniard, whose departure was agreed by mutual consent, following a steady breakdown in relations between the manager and the club hierarchy.

But an appointment is not expected prior to tomorrow’s game against the struggling Royals and it will be Ireland and Dawson who will prepare the side, as they look for a win that could close the four-point gap between them and the top six.

Reading have not won in ten Championship outings. While they lost 2-0 to Manchester United in their last fixture, in the FA Cup, they did produce a brave display under Jose Manuel Gomes.

Dawson returned for a second spell at the City Ground in the summer as a free agent, at the end of his contract with Hull. The defender began his career with the Reds, after coming through the youth ranks.

Since his return he has started 11 games for the Reds, while making two sub appearances. Forest are yet to lose a game in the Championship when he has been involved on the pitch.

Now Forest will be hoping he can have a similar impact off it.