NOTTINGHAM Forest must work to ensure that, when Chris Cohen returns to action, it is as a Premier League player, according to manager Stuart Pearce.
The Reds boss has no doubt that skipper Cohen will return successfully from a third cruciate ligament injury and the second in his right knee.
And Pearce also revealed that, in the nine months Cohen is likely to be out, he will look to keep him involved at the City Ground by asking him to scout matches.
"We are massively disappointed to have lost him for the length of time he is going to be out. But we are going to focus on the positives," said Pearce. "Our focus, as a club, has to be to make sure that he comes back as a player as a Premier League player.
"It is heartbreaking for him, because I know how much he puts into his profession. He is one of the most dedicated professionals I have ever worked with, as a player or manager.But if anyone can fight back from this, it is Chris. He will play again.
"He is a great influence for the club. We will expect him to carry on as captain, we will ask him to look at matches and players for us. Andy Reid is going to look at matches for us, he will watch Louis Laing at Notts County for us.
"Senior players who have a good eye for the game – that is something we will utilise. For their football education it will be helpful. They will understand things from a different angle, perhaps. They will understand where we are coming from, as a manager or coach."
Pearce's own experience as a player makes him believe Cohen can bounce back.
"At the back end of my career, when I was 37, I broke my shin. Then I broke it again, after I had come back and I thought the end of the world had come. But I came back from that and played more games than ever, for another two or three years," he said. "Chris, being the professional he is, will give himself the best opportunity. There I no doubt in my mind that he will be back. No doubt."
In the meantime, ahead of tomorrow's game at Millwall, Pearce had positive news about striker Dexter Blackstock – who could make his return from a serious knee injury against Spurs in the Capital One Cup next week.
"We will not send him out on loan, he is close to a return for us," said Pearce. "He has played a 45 minute spell of a game, a 60 and a 90. We have a feeling he will feature, in some way, on Wednesday at Tottenham.
"It is always a big boost to get somebody back who has been out for such a long period of time. He will give us another option up front."
Forest have also had positive news on Andy Reid (groin) – although Jack Hobbs (ankle) and Matty Fryatt (groin) are a little further away from a return.
"This weekend will be too soon for Andy, but he will be back next week," said Pearce. "Jack, we are waiting for a scan to have a look at his ankle, once we get that we will know a little more. It is the same ankle, it is not as acute, but we do not want to take any chances.
"Matty is the same, we are waiting on a scan. Neither, we feel, are going to be a long term problem, but we want to make sure they are right."
