Playing For Places.

Colin Calderwood today told his Forest players to prove themselves during pre-season training and said: 'Impress me and you'll be in the team.'

The new Forest manager told the NEP, he will make up his mind on his ideal starting 11 based on what he sees in the coming weeks on the training field and in pre-season friendlies.

'I will be assessing the players over the coming weeks. The trip to Italy will probably give me an idea, having had a week of pre-season,' he said.

'Certain people will be closer to the first team than others. But nobody will be ruled out, that is for sure. And age will not count for anything either.

'We will give them all the opportunity.'

Calderwood says he is encouraged by the resources he has at his disposal, with Forest boasting a 30-man squad.

He says - with the exception of a goalkeeper - he will not make new signings until he has had the chance to assess his players. That will ease the minds of alot of fans who see a keeper as a priority.

'We have made lots of phone calls, we have progressed a little bit, but there is not much to report yet,' he said. 'We have Rune here and two good young keepers, so it is not desperation time, that is for sure.

'The good news is that lots of people want to join us, lots of agents are ringing up.

'I am sure that will increase during the season.

'But the answer is the same as before, we have until the end of August to bring people in.'

Calderwood will also make a decision over who will captain of the team.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.