Perch thrilled with Forest return

Perch played right-back in a flat back four against Barnsley

Nottingham Forest defender James Perch has returned to action after more than six months on the sidelines with a stress fracture of his shin.

Perch, Forest's skipper last season, played 55 minutes of a reserve-team friendly against Barnsley on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It was just good to be back out on the City Ground again.

"I'm a way off a first-team start, but I'm not quite a way off being involved in the first team."

Perch, who played at right-back against the Tykes, last played in late April in Forest's away draw with Blackpool.

And he said he felt the benefit of playing competitive football again after several months of rehabilitation.

"I can feel it was a lot different in my lungs and my legs, so it was a good workout," he explained. "I got an hour out of it, I feel good."

Perch added: "I think they wanted me to play a half, but at half-time I said give me another 10 or 15 minutes. I felt like I could play 90, but I was a bit sensible and thought, I don't want to risk anything."

Forest won 2-1 thanks to a brace from young striker Nialle Rodney.