Hudson-Odoi, Murillo - Nottingham Forest injury update provided ahead of FA Cup tie
Nottingham Forest are due to make a late call on whether winger Callum Hudson-Odoi will make his return from injury against Exeter City.
The Reds head south for their fourth round FA Cup tie on Tuesday (8pm kick-off). It is likely to be a much-changed team from their last league game, when they thumped Brighton and Hove Albion 7-0.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has pledged to give minutes to some of those players who have been struggling for regular game time, just as he did against Luton Town in the last round. It remains to be seen whether he will risk Hudson-Odoi, who has missed the last two matches with a groin problem.
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“We have to see. He is coming back so let’s see how he is,” Nuno said ahead of the midweek clash. “Everybody has to be assessed because we always have to look at the details. We will prepare for the game, then we will make the list and decide on the squad.”
In hopefully a positive sign, Hudson-Odoi did join in with his teammates as they were put through their paces during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai over the past week. Defender Murillo was also involved after recovering from the dead leg he sustained against the Seagulls.
“He is much better. He had some time to have treatment and has joined in with the group normally,” Nuno said of the Brazilian centre-back.
Forest go into the tie at St James Park as the highest ranked team left in the competition. They are third in the Premier League table, with leaders Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal having already been knocked out.
“It is the priority now,” Nuno said of the tie. “It is the game we have to focus on and the most important game we have.
“The approach is exactly the same. We will try to find all the details and take a good look at our opponent. They are a good team.
“But our approach is exactly the same. It is a reward for the players who are working so hard to have a chance to play. This is how we are going to do it.”
