Calderwood -Happy With Progress

Colin Calderwood sent a much stronger squad to meet Rushden and Diamonds last night, than the one that beat Ilkeston Town 5-0 only 24 hours before.

Rushden gave the Reds a sterner test than Ilkeston did and took the lead on 46 mins with a goal from Tomlin. In what was described as a training game Forest came out relatively unscathed after an Arron Davies strike saved the blushes in the 90th minute.

The biggest concern for Calderwood though, maybe the injury list, as Breckin and Holt failed to make the trip due to a hamstring injury for Breckin and a groin strain to Grant Holt. New boy Matty Lockwood also missed out due to problems with his wisdom teeth. But at least no injuries were picked up during the game. On the performance Calderwood told the official site, 'I am pleased we did not lose, it is only a pre season friendly, but you never like to lose a match. What you do want is a challenge and they certainly gave us that.'

Preseason friendlies may be meaningless in terms of results, but they are good from a fitness point of view and the lads will have had a good run out in this tough fixture. Saturday sees the Reds travel to Chesterfield to take part in a testimonial game for former Red Steve Blatherwick, before beginning a tour of Scotland.

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