Sign up NOW for the latest Reds news and views direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Michael Dawson is going to be out for "some time" after suffering an injury set-back in training, says Martin O’Neill.

The newly-appointed Nottingham Forest manager also confirmed that Tobias Figueiredo’s injury problem is more serious than a dead leg and says the defender is also "struggling".

Dawson had returned to training following a hamstring problem and news that he will be sidelined for a while yet will come as an early blow to the Reds boss, who is also missing Michael Hefele through injury.

It also explains why O’Neill acted so quickly to bring in Yohan Benalouane on an 18-month contract from Leicester City.

The Tunisian international made a solid debut in the 1-0 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday, particularly considering he had only had one training session with his new teammates, prior to the game.

“Michael had a set-back in training the other day and he is going to be out for some time,” said O’Neill, when asked about Dawson’s progress.

“It (Figueiredo’s injury) was also more serious than a dead leg, definitely. He is, at this minute, still struggling.

“The last thing I want to do is start making any sort of excuses. But we did have a couple of suspensions for today and the injuries – Dawson is going to be out for quite some time – and you mention the other two centre-backs as well, who have problems.

“That is why we had to bring Benalouane in – and I thought he did exceptionally well in the circumstances.

“He only had one training session with us and he did terrifically well. If he can stay clear of injury he could be a big, big boost for us.

“Those things you mentioned there, are things we have to cope with.”

Forest also saw Costel Pantilimon produce a composed performance between the posts, with the Romanian international making a number of big saves to keep Forest in the game.

“He made some big saves, he did very well, it was good. Benalouane was excellent as well, having had only one training session,” said O’Neill.

“Some of the lads who did not perform to their potential can do better.”