Defender Moussa Niakhate has vowed to put his handball error behind him as Nottingham Forest prepare for a decisive run-in in their bid to stay up.
It was not the return to action the summer signing had hoped for on Friday night as he made his comeback from a hamstring injury. Out on the pitch for the first time since August, and making only his third appearance for the Reds, he conceded a penalty in the dying moments against Newcastle United.
Alexander Isak took the opportunity and bagged his second of the night from the spot to claim all three points for the Magpies, after Emmanuel Dennis had opened the scoring for the hosts. Niakhate says he “takes full responsibility”, with the 2-1 defeat leaving Forest without a win in six, but he is eager to come back stronger after the international break.
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Posting a message on social media, he wrote: “After 7 long months it was an amazing feeling to be back on the field, physically I’m feeling strong.
“We played a good game but the final action cost us a point and I take full responsibility. I will learn from this mistake and be stronger in the upcoming matches.”
Central defensive partner Felipe responded: “You’re a great man and a great professional, we’re together until the end.”
Steve Cooper’s side have seen their cushion above the relegation places cut to two points amid a dip in form. They are 16th in the table, with Friday night’s loss ending a nine-match unbeaten run in the league at home.
While the penalty was a blot on his copybook, having Niakhate back is a welcome boost for the Reds, who have been hit hard by injuries this term. They have been short of centre-backs, in particular, in recent weeks, with Scott McKenna and Willy Boly both still sidelined.
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