Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson has revealed how he and his team-mates are maintaining their fitness amid the ongoing health crisis in the United Kingdom.

With the country currently in lockdown, the club's players have been training at home using a programme designed by the coaching staff.

Although the 2019/20 campaign was expected to resume at the start of April, the English Football League decided last week to postpone more fixtures.

With Forest's next league match set to take place on May 2nd, manager Sabri Lamouchi will be hoping that his squad are able to stay focused over the coming weeks.

Dawson, who rejoined the Reds in 2018 following a four-year spell at Hull City, has experienced a frustrating season to date.

Despite starting the year as a key player for Forest, the defender lost his place in the club's starting eleven to Tobias Figueiredo after picking up a calf injury in September.

Whilst he has since made a full recovery from this particular issue, Dawson has only featured in two of the last 11 league fixtures.

Speaking to Sky Sports News (as cited by the Nottingham Post) about how is maintaining his fitness at home, the 36-year-old said: "We had a (training) programme last week - four days on, one day off in the week and then the weekend off.

"We're in touch all the time with messages, to keep your fitness.

"They've given us nine days now where we literally stay at home and have a rest - and we'll re-look at what we do probably this time next week."

Dawson later added: "It's strange.

"When you have the off-season, you maybe have four weeks down and then the last two weeks keeping fit.

"This one, I've been running the streets and doing a little bit of gym work - but now, what do you keep fit for?

"You've got no end goal, because we just don't know when this is going to change."

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The Verdict

Although the season is scheduled to resume in May, Dawson's comments regarding training are understandable as the ongoing health crisis could potentially escalate which may lead to more games being postponed.

Whilst it would be naive to think that the remaining Championship fixtures will be hosted in-front of supporters given that the United Kingdom is currently in lock-down, the campaign could be completed behind closed doors.

When you consider that Forest are currently fighting for a play-off place, they will be determined to push on under the guidance of Lamouchi when they are given the green-light to play again.

Blessed with a wealth of experience at Championship level, there is no reason why Dawson cannot force his way back into the side between now and the end of the season providing that he maintains his fitness.

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