Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhate has taken an important step in his recovery from injury this week but remains some way off being available for selection.
The centre-back has made just two competitive appearances for the Reds since his summer switch from Mainz. A hamstring problem and various setbacks have kept him on the sidelines since August.
Niakhate linked up with his teammates on the grass for the first time since then this week. But Forest will not rush him back into action, with head coach Steve Cooper exercising caution over when he could potentially make his return.
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“We’ve had some positive news with Moussa Niakhate, who has been out long-term,” said the Reds boss. “He’s back on the grass training with us, but he’s non-contact, so he’s not in full training but he is at the final stage of his rehab where he can do some parts of training with the group.
“That’s been brilliant because he’s been out a long while. It’s great for him to be back amongst the boys and training.
“He’s a lot closer than what he once was, but he’s not close to featuring in games. But he’s getting to the final stages, so that’s been positive this week.
“Other than that, we are as we were. The lads who are injured are going through rehab, as normal. There’s a few niggles that we’re managing, but every team will be the same. We’re cracking on with our work.”
Forest still have a significant injury list ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Fulham. Dean Henderson (thigh), Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) and Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring) remain absent, along with Giulian Biancone (ACL) and Omar Richards (hairline fracture of the leg) who were left out of the 25-man Premier League squad. Jonjo Shelvey was at the latter stages of recovering from injury when he joined the Reds on deadline day last week, while Ryan Yates should return from illness soon.
“Ryan Yates is close to returning to full training. That should be early next week, hopefully,” Cooper added.
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