Anderson, Wood, Gibbs-White - Nottingham Forest injury latest ahead of West Ham clash
Nottingham Forest are aiming to record a third successive Premier League win they host West Ham United this weekend.
Not since 1999 have the Reds managed such a feat in the top tier. But Nuno Espirito Santo's side are in fine form and will be full of confidence against the Hammers at the City Ground on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The Forest head coach does have a few players who are fitness doubts for the game, however. Below, we look at the Reds' injury state of play.
Chris Wood
Injury: Foot.
What we know: Having bagged a brilliant brace in the visitors' 3-1 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last Friday, the striker was substituted with less than 10 minutes to go. The TV cameras then picked him up applying an ice pack to his foot.
What has been said: “He (one of the Leicester players) just stood on my foot and it’s one of those. Hopefully it should be alright. It’s got another week to go," Wood said after the game. Asked if it was a serious problem, he added: “No, nothing too bad.”
On Thiursday, Nuno said Wood was one of several players the Reds will make late assessments on before Saturday's match. After the win over the Foxes he had been asked if the New Zealander was injured and said: “I hope not. Let’s assess, but I hope not.”
Elliot Anderson
Injury: Foot.
What we know: Like Wood, Anderson has been feeling the effects of an opponent standing on his foot. He did not take part with the rest of his teammates when Forest held an open training session in front of fans on Tuesday, instead taking part in a separate recovery session.
What has been said: “Elliot, in the game against Palace, somebody stood on his foot and it was very painful. He was able to play against Leicester, but he has been having treatment on it," Nuno said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“It is painful for him, but he is putting everything he has into being available to play at the weekend. We will assess him tomorrow.
“There are a few players we need to be careful over, we need to make the right decisions. But this is what we are here for.”
Jota Silva
Injury: Unknown.
What we know: The summer signing has been struggling with a slight knock in the build-up to Saturday's match. He is expected to be fit to feature against the Hammers - as are Wood and Anderson.
What has been said: “We have some issues. We are still assessing and still have one day to go,” Nuno said on Thursday.
“It is always the same - after a period of the season with some hard matches, players get knocks and injuries, players coming back. We have to assess them tomorrow.
“Morgan is one of the players inside that group that we have to assess and see how he is. Chris also, and Elliot and Jota. They have knocks.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Injury: Ankle.
What we know: With 15 minutes to go of Forest's 1-1 draw at Chelsea before the last international break, Gibbs-White limped off the Stamford Bridge pitch. He seemed to pick up an injury when he had a shot charged down in the second half of the contest.
The attacker underwent scans and was forced to pull out of the England squad for the October international fixtures. He has not featured for the Reds since and did not train with his teammates in Tuesday's open session.
What has been said: “It was a tough one for Morgan; a painful one. He is better now. He is going to plan," Nuno said on Thursday.
“Without him we are less strong, because he is so important and special for us, with the things he does. It is up to us to find the solutions. The squad has the solutions we have to find, but it is not the same without him because he brings us something different."
Danilo
Injury: Broken ankle.
What we know: Just eight minutes into the new Premier League season, Danilo suffered a broken ankle when he landed awkwardly after challenging for the ball in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. He underwent surgery and it is hoped he could return to training by December.
The fact he suffered a clean break should help with his recovery. However, it will still take the midfielder time to build up his fitness once he does rejoin his teammates.
What has been said: “The surgery went well. Now we have to be patient,” head coach Nuno has said.
“First of all, the important thing is that he takes his time; that he does not make any mistakes. For now, he is not allowed to put his foot on the ground (or put weight through it). It is a small detail, but it is a big detail.
“We do not want to rush him, we do not want to put him under any pressure to come back. He has to settle down.”
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Ibrahim Sangare
Injury: Hamstring.
What we know: The Reds midfielder is expected to be out of action for at least two months with a hamstring issue. He underwent surgery on the same day as his teammates were beating Liverpool, on September 14, and faces a significant spell on the sidelines. He sustained the injury prior to the September international break and the severity of it was picked up in tests when he was back at the club after leaving the Ivory Coast camp. It is hoped both Sangare and Danilo could return to training around Christmas time.
What has been said: “They are getting better day by day,” Nuno said of Sangare and Danilo this week. “They don’t stop working because they do treatment and work on other fitness aspects. They are both on track.”