FOREST should not be without skipper Paul McKenna for more than a few days, manager Billy Davies revealed today.

The battling midfielder was left out of the Reds side as a precaution at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, after feeling a slight strain in his hamstring during the warm-up.

Davies felt that McKenna could have still played if required, but did not want to take a gamble on the chance that the problem might be aggravated.

But the former Preston man could still be back in time to face Norwich on Saturday at the City Ground.

"He was carrying a very slight hamstring strain on Friday," said Davies (pictured). "We thought we could get away with playing him.

"But, after the warm up, we thought it better to err on the side of caution.

"We did not want to risk losing him for weeks. It was a blow because we had worked on the training ground, for two or three days, on our shape and pattern.

"Then that changed everything for us. We had to work differently. But we did not want to take a gamble on him."

Davies was still encouraged by the performance of his side, even if he felt the loss of McKenna's experience was a significant blow.

"There were more positives than negatives. There were lots of chances created. Sometimes when the manager says that it is viewed as an excuse," he said.

"But when other people say it, it proves a point.

"We saw great courage and effort for the players and they got what they deserved.

"We are delighted to have come through a very difficult match. But if you were watching this game you can see the quality that we have.

"You can also see the weak underbelly of this side in the key moments of the games, because of the youth of these players.

"We just needed a wise head to go and sort a few things out, but we were missing that."

Davies was also disappointed with the performance of referee Lee Probert, who had an erratic afternoon.

"I can't talk too much about the performance of the referee," said Davies. "I will look at the video and speak to the powers that be about it when I have seen it. I will also have a little word with Mr Probert.

"He admitted he got a few things wrong and apologised for that. But it doesn't matter, because these things cost livelihoods.

"These decisions cost you points and you have to get the big ones right."