Nottingham Forest are “more than hopeful” of being granted permission to reinstate defender Steve Cook into their 25-man Premier League squad.
The Reds have a shortage of centre-backs, following the news Scott McKenna and Willy Boly are set to be ruled out for long spells with the hamstring injuries they suffered against Fulham last weekend. It leaves Joe Worrall and Felipe as head coach Steve Cooper’s only options in that department, with Moussa Niakhate still working his way back from his own hamstring problem.
Cook, who signed for Forest little more than 12 months ago, was left out of the 25-man squad list submitted after the January transfer window closed. But Cooper is hopeful an application made to the Premier League to reinstate him will be successful.
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He would take the place of Boly, who faces a fight to feature again before the end of the campaign. The club hope to receive a response before Saturday’s clash with Manchester City.
"Scott is going to be out for six weeks, more or less, which is a blow,” Cooper said. “Willy is even worse; we're looking at longer than three months. It's not the news we were hoping for.
“It’s always about the next man up. You have to focus on the players who are available.
“Moussa Niakhate is closer to returning. He’s not back in full training yet, but hopefully that will start next week, which will be a positive step.
“He’s been out for a while and will have to play some games before he’s ready for Premier League action. But he’s not far away now, he’s at the end of his rehab road.
"We have applied, through Premier League rules, to bring Steve Cook back into the 25-man squad. We are more than hopeful that will be fine, looking at how the rules are set up. We are expecting that to happen, with the circumstances we find ourselves in. That’s a positive as well, on the back of the injuries.
“We hope it will be for this weekend. We haven’t had it confirmed yet, but that is the hope.
“I said after we had made the decision on the 25-man squad how fond we are of Cookie and the part that he’s played over his time here, which is not much longer than 12 months. He’s had a very productive 12 months for us.
“We’re all fond of him here, and I’m sure the supporters are as well. He’s been good. He’s been very professional, and with it happening so quickly - only a week or so after the decision - it’s felt pretty normal.
“He’s been pretty positive. A lesser man maybe would have been a bit different than what he has been. We’ve carried on working with him as normal and he has carried on being himself.”
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