STUART Pearce will decide what his starting XI will be against Blackpool after Nottingham Forest have played one last friendly against Burton.
The Reds boss expects to name his strongest side yet in the behind closed doors friendly at St George's Park on Tuesday.
And he hopes his players will be motivated to earn themselves a place in the side when Blackpool visit the City Ground next weekend, for the opening fixture of the Championship season.
Forest secured a credible 1-0 win over West Brom in their final public outing of the summer, thanks to a goal from Matty Fryatt.
"I was very pleased with the way we performed against West Brom," said Pearce. "We have another game at Burton on Tuesday now and I really want the players to be coming to the fore and showing that they have a part to play.
"We are still looking at players, we have players coming back. Hobbs, Cohen, Lascelles and Lichaj should hopefully have a part to play in the game.
"After that match, we will know (what the starting XI might be against Blackpool).
"We are getting there, I must give the players credit because, on the training pitch, they have tried to encompass everything that we have asked of them.
"For certain individuals, it is not their strength, what we are asking of them. In the main, what I ask players to do is play to their strengths within the collective. They have impressed me, to be fair. There are some really good characters in this dressing room and there is room for people who want to get better."
Pearce was pleased with what he saw at the City Ground, against the Premier League Baggies. Although he had some sympathy for former Reading midfielder Mikele Leigertwood, who limped off after 20 minutes with a hip injury.
"The only downside for us was seeing Mikele pick up a slight injury, but that was the only downside. That was the best performance of pre-season. They are starting to put into place all the things we are asking of them," said Pearce.
"The manner of the performance was important, because the players are starting to show that they are doing what we are asking of them.
"They did exactly that. We do have a long way ahead of us, we do need to improve drastically still. But I think we are prepared for that hard work.
"This was another stepping stone for this club. I was very pleased with what I saw. It was by far the best performance of pre-season.
"When you take into account who we were up against as well, it was a good performance. As a one off day, I am more than happy with that performance.
"The general performance impressed me. We had Osborn, Paterson, Grant coming off the bench – it is always good for me to see young players with energy."
