Nottingham Forest have asked the Premier League for permission to reinstate Steve Cook to their 25-man squad, after Scott McKenna and Willy Boly were ruled out for lengthy periods.
McKenna is set to miss six weeks, while Boly could be out for up to three months after both centre-backs suffered hamstring injuries in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Fulham.
Moussa Niakhate, who Forest signed for £12.5 million from Mainz in the summer, is preparing to return from a long-term injury. However, Steve Cooper's side have only Felipe and Joe Worrall available at centre-back. Therefore, the Daily Telegraph have reported that Forest will disclose medical reports on Boly's condition to boost their case.
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Cook was omitted from Forest's 25-man Premier League squad after opting against a loan move to the Championship, with Blackburn, Luton, Stoke, Reading and Cardiff all interested in January.
Forest, who have made 29 signings over the last two transfer windows, submitted their application today and are hoping to find out the outcome before midday on Friday.
The Tricky Trees are currently 14th in the Premier League and sit six points clear of the relegation zone. Brennan Johnson scored the only goal as they defeated Leeds United 1-0 at the City Ground earlier this month, in a game which proved to be Jesse Marsch's last in charge of the Whites.
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