Davies questions squad fitness

Billy Davies is set to take charge of his first full season at Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies believes some members of his squad are short of match fitness, just eight days before the start of the new season.

Forest play Birmingham in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, before beginning their Championship campaign with a difficult game at Reading on 8 August.

Davies told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It's important to get Joe Garner some games, and (David) McGoldrick has work to do.

"Along with one or two other guys, we know we've got a week or so of work."

The Reds have had a mixed end to pre-season, drawing 1-1 with Premier League club Stoke City after a 2-1 defeat to Notts County of League Two.

You can certainly see a team that will no doubt score goals

Forest manager Billy Davies

Davies is preparing for a tough start to the campaign, with a home match against relegated West Bromwich Albion immediately following the trip to the Madejski Stadium.

"Even beyond that I think it will take this team a few games into the new season before we start to settle down," added Davies.

"What you can say about this side at the moment is that you can see craft, you can see very good energy, you can see competition, and you can certainly see a team that will no doubt score goals."