Nottingham Forest have been dealt a blow with the news defender Joe Worrall faces six weeks out of action.
The centre-back has been in fine form for the Reds this season as they have climbed the Championship table under Steve Cooper.
But he broke three ribs when he collided with the post in Forest’s 1-0 victory at Millwall last weekend, leaving him facing an extended period on the sidelines.
His teammates nevertheless retained the Brian Clough Trophy in his absence at the City Ground, seeing off arch-rivals Derby County 2-1 in a lunchtime showdown, to make it back-to-back league wins.
“He’s out for six weeks with broken ribs,” boss Cooper said of Worrall.
“He did it early on in the game against Millwall last week when he hit the post.
“If you look at his game back, some of the things he did with three broken ribs were incredible - and great testament to the guy that he is.
“Obviously we’re going to miss him for a little bit. But these things happen, and it’s next man up.”
Midway through against the Rams, there were also concerns the Reds could be without goalkeeper Brice Samba for the second half.
The shot-stopper was left with a big bump on his forehead after going in at the feet of Tom Lawrence just before the break.
Cooper said there were no concussion tests conducted, however, and Samba played the remainder of the match with a bandage around his head.
“The answer is no, truth be told,” the Welshman said, when asked if there was ever a chance the Forest custodian would need to be substituted.
“The physios were saying at the time that he was fine. At half-time he needed a bit of sorting out, but there was never a chance of him coming off.
“He would have come off kicking and screaming, that’s for sure.”
