Midfielder Chris Cohen will start the season as Nottingham Forest`s first-choice left-back.
With Julian Bennett still not match-fit following 20 months out with a career-threatening knee injury, Reds boss Billy Davies wants Cohen in defence.
Davies, who is still trying to bring Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey back to the City Ground on loan, told the Evening Post: "It is too big an ask for Julian.
"He hasn`t played at a competitive level for so long and you can't jump from that kind of spell on the sidelines to playing in the Championship, but we have a great player to fill this position in the form of Chris Cohen.
"He gets paid to play for Forest and he will be playing at left-back. He has played at left-back during our pre-season games and he will continue to do so.
"I have spoken to him about it and he does understand. There is a lack of players in that position. These are the resources we have, this is the situation we are in and he will have to play there."
Source: PA
Source: PA