Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala is facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
The summer signing was forced off in the 1-1 draw at Everton a week ago, being replaced by Ryan Yates with 55 minutes gone, having received treatment on the pitch. And he was not involved in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Boss Steve Cooper says it is “not a serious” injury, with the 24-year-old already making progress in his recovery. The Reds also have defenders Moussa Niakhate (hamstring) and Omar Richards (hairline fracture of the leg) out of action as they prepare for Wednesday night’s trip to face Manchester City.
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Pep's verdict
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has backed Nottingham Forest's level of spending in the transfer market ahead of the two teams facing off at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm kick-off).
The Reds completed their 18th signing of the summer transfer window on Monday when a loan deal for Atletico Madrid full-back Renan Lodi was confirmed. Their 16 permanent signings have cost them in the region of £150m and they could yet complete more deals before the market closes at 11pm on Thursday, September 1.
It is the biggest outlay by a promoted team in Premier League history, prompting concerns that the new squad will find it difficult to gel. But Forest acquitted themselves well on Sunday in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham at the City Ground, quelling fears that Steve Cooper would struggle to get the best out of his new recruits.
Guardiola praised Forest for their level of ambition as they bid to avoid dropping back to the Championship, admitting that his City team will have to perform well to win the midweek battle.
Lodi love
The signing of Renan Lodi has made Nottingham Forest fans believe in the "romance of football" again, according to former Reds midfielder David Prutton.
Forest announced the arrival of the Brazilian full-back on loan from Atletico Madrid on Monday. It's the club's 18th signing of the summer transfer window.
Prutton compared the move to Leeds United's signing of Raphinha, another Brazil international, after they secured promotion to the Premier League in 2020.
"When Leeds got back into the Premier League and all of a sudden they bring in someone like Raphinha, or they're talking about how many internationals they've got, and you do shake your head a bit and go wow, they're now talking about Nottingham Forest in those types of terms. A Brazilian left-back!" the Sky Sports pundit told the Garibaldi Red podcast.
Transfer approach
A transfer window packed with comings and goings could have a busy finish for Nottingham Forest.
Head coach Steve Cooper admits “anything can happen” as the Reds approach Thursday’s 11pm deadline. Further signings are likely at the City Ground, and there could be some departures in the next few days, too.
Cooper is keen to end the summer with a squad strong enough to be competitive in the Premier League, with sufficient cover in every area of the pitch. Left-back Renan Lodi became the latest to put pen to paper, when he joined on loan from Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
The Brazil international took Forest’s total number of new arrivals up to 18 - albeit two of those, in Brandon Aguilera and Hwang Ui-jo, immediately headed out on loan. Further bolstering the club’s defensive ranks, at centre-back and at right wing-back, remains a possibility.
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