Nottingham Forest midfielder Jack Colback is recovering from a “concussion incident” suffered in training.
The 33-year-old has not been involved in the Reds’ last three games, against Leeds United, Aston Villa and Manchester United. The last time he was included in a match squad was when he was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Injuries and illness have affected Colback’s availability this season, but head coach Steve Cooper has always valued him highly. Although he has only made 16 appearances so far this term, the experienced former Newcastle United man has still been a key figure on and off the pitch.
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"Jack had a concussion incident in training, so we've had to be really careful with that,” said Cooper ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool. "We shouldn't laugh about it, although we were laughing saying he could write a book about this season.
“He's had illnesses that have set him back, he's had a bang to his head - which was so innocuous - that has set him back in the last couple of weeks and he's had to go through the right concussion protocols, and he's picked up niggles and whatever else.
"He's seen it and done it all before. He's one of our most experienced players, in terms of age. But he hasn't had much luck on his side this year.”
Colback’s absence comes as Cooper tries to solve Forest’s problems in the centre of the pitch. It is an area where he has struggled to hit upon the right combination amid a 10-match winless run.
A significant injury list has also limited the options available to the Reds boss, with midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring) having limped off against Villa, Gustavo Scarpa absent with a calf problem and Ryan Yates still ruled out due to a shoulder issue. In addition, the Reds remain without Serge Aurier, Chris Wood, Willy Boly, Dean Henderson, Omar Richards and Giulian Biancone.
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