Dougie Freedman happy with Chris Cohen on Nottingham Forest return

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman praised Chris Cohen's contribution following his first start of the season.
Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman. 
Picture by Dan Westwell.Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman. 
Picture by Dan Westwell.
Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman. Picture by Dan Westwell.

The midfielder returned from injury during Forest’s 2-1 home defeat against Bristol City at the weekend.

Freedman said: “We wanted to get him in the team. We spoke during the week and he told me that he has played on that right side, tucked in a little bit, quite often in the past.

“So we thought that, with two high strikers up top, if we had Chris Cohen and Ben Osborn coming inside from the flanks and playing plenty of passes, it would help us.

“I thought Chris’s overall game was good. He has a long way to go, when it comes to his fitness and strength. But to finish the 90 minutes is pleasing for him and for us. He did do well.”

OPINION: Forest lack firepowerOPINION: Forest should not be losing to Bristol CityWhile Cohen completed the full 90 minutes, Forest were dealt another injury blow when Jamie Ward was subbed with a hamstring injury.

Freedman added: “It looks like a hamstring problem, unfortunately for Jamie. It is difficult for us right now and what we do not want to do is let the season slip away. We want to try to get a few of our injured players back.

“Jamie looks like he will be out for a couple of weeks, depending on how bad the problem is.

“But he is a player who recovers quite quickly from injuries so, with a little bit of luck, hopefully it will only be two or three weeks. We also hope to have Oliver Burke back soon.

“There is no coincidence that we are in this disappointing run, because we are missing key players and it is starting to hurt us.

“We have to make sure that we dig in and go back to basics.”