Heat on for Nottingham Forest duo amid quiet transfer deadline day
Nottingham Forest appear to have been handed a double injury boost as they take a break from Premier League action.
The Reds returned to winning ways in style at the weekend as they thumped Brighton and Hove Albion 7-0 at the City Ground. They now have a couple of weeks without a league fixture, although they do have an FA Cup tie at Exeter City on the horizon.
Forest have used the gap in the schedule to go to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. As well as being put through their paces in the United Arab Emirates, team bonding exercises will also be a key feature of their trip.
READ MORE: Deadline day 'talks' held as stumbling block for Nottingham Forest transfer set out
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest confirm deadline day deal as transfer chase comes to an end
The club have posted some footage of the Reds being put through their paces on the first day of the camp. And in what will be a big positive for head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, both winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and centre-back Murillo are shown joining in with their teammates.
Hudson-Odoi has missed the last two games with a groin problem after being forced off in last month’s win over Southampton. Murillo was substituted in the 72nd minute against the Seagulls after requiring treatment on the pitch. Nuno said afterwards he was hopeful the Brazilian was simply suffering from a dead leg.
Forest have already been bolstered by midfielders Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare coming back from long-term absences. The former was included in the XI on Saturday for his first league start since breaking his ankle on the opening day of the campaign. Sangare, meanwhile, made his first appearance since the end of August when he came off the bench to signal his recovery from a hamstring problem.
“It is important to get them back into the squad because we have been missing them. We have good options in midfield. I am confident that they can help us,” Nuno said afterwards.
The third-placed Reds are next in league action when they go to Fulham on Saturday, February 15 (3pm kick-off). Their fourth round FA Cup tie with Exeter will take place on Tuesday, February 11 (8pm kick-off).
The double injury boost comes amid a quiet transfer deadline day at the City Ground. As it stands, it is unlikely there will be too much by way of activity before the 11pm deadline. It could be that Nuno’s squad remains largely unchanged for the remainder of the season.
