Nottingham Forest have been dealt a significant injury setback with the news that defenders Steve Cook and Max Lowe both face six weeks on the sidelines.
The duo were forced off in Saturday’s 4-0 rout of Reading, with Sheffield United loanee Lowe departing in the first half and January signing Cook right at the end of the victory.
It is Lowe’s second spell out of action this season with a groin issue after he missed two months towards the end of last year, while his teammate is ruled out with an ankle problem.
Both have been key players in the Reds’ charge up the Championship table, and their absence comes at a crucial stage in the campaign with 11 league games to go.
“They are both out for six weeks. The win came at a cost with those injuries,” said boss Steve Cooper.
“It’s a blow for the two lads and a blow for us. But, unfortunately, these things happen.
“What’s important is we stay positive, stay strong, utilise the squad and look after the boys who are injured while continuing to try to make progressive steps.
“They are key players, but we won’t be the only team that’s got injuries to key players.
“We would prefer to have them fit, of course - we would prefer to have every player fit - but these things can happen.
“If we dwell on it for too long, it becomes an even bigger negative than what it is.
“The lads who got injured have to commit to their recovery now, and we have to commit to the next game.
“It’s the same side for Max, but it’s a slightly different injury. It’s not like a complete recurrence of the one before.
“This happens. It probably won’t be the last time this season that we get injuries. Hopefully not, but it can happen.
“They were both unfortunate situations. We couldn’t prevent them.
“As long as we look after the guys who are injured, which we will, we have to accept that’s the game.
“I’m not the only manager sitting here with a few injuries, it’s normal - particularly at this time of the season.
“We’ll focus on the players who are available and get ready for the next game.”
Jack Colback has previously filled in for Lowe at left wing-back, but Cooper also has Gaetan Bong and Richie Laryea as options.
Tobias Figueiredo, Loic Mbe Soh and Jonathan Panzo are the other centre-backs on the books to cover for Cook, but midfielder Ryan Yates has also dropped into the back line before. There is also the possibility of switching to a four-man defence.
“We always consider different formations anyway,” Cooper added. "I know we’ve been a back three in recent games, but we have changed to a four in a couple of games.
“I very much believe in having a way of playing and always trying to play that way, but if you can play that way in a couple of formations - changing game to game or within a game - then that’s a really good thing.
“It’s something the likes of Huddersfield have done well this year.
“We’ve been a mixture of a four and a three since my time here, and that will continue.”
