Perch ruled out for three months

Davies made Perch skipper last season

Nottingham Forest defender James Perch has been ruled out for three months with a shin injury.

Perch, 23, was injured at the end of last season and a scan has revealed a stress fracture in his tibia.

Head physiotherapist Andrew Balderston told the club website: "We knew James was suffering from bone stress.

"But it takes a certain length of time for stress fractures to show up on scans. Unfortunately our fears have been confirmed."

The setback means manager Billy Davies will step up his already frantic search for more defensive cover.

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I would say that he is one of the few players we can cope without

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Davies told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We're still making up for our inactivity in the January transfer window last season and I think we're still only three-quarters of the way through with regards to our defensive situation.

"Added to that is that we have found James will be missing for three months with a stress fracture so we still have a bit to do yet."

Davies has made a total of nine signings in the close season but has missed out on several defensive targets including Shaun Barker and Matthew Mills.

Forest begin their Championship campaign away against Reading on Saturday, 8 August.

You can hear full commentary on Saturday's match on BBC Radio Nottingham from 1330 BST on 103.8FM and 1584AM.