Here’s the latest Nottingham Forest news on Friday, 12 May, 2023.
Forest ‘join the race’ for Brazilian talent
Nottingham Forest have joined the race for Sao Paulo defensive midfielder Pablo Maia, it is claimed.
The 21-year-old has 78 appearances for the Brazilian side since making his debut last year after graduating from the club's youth setup. He has scored four goals and provided one assist so far during his career.
And Bolavip Brasil claim in information translated by SportWitness that Forest have entered the race to sign Maia but face competition from West Ham and Fulham.
They claim that the two London clubs and the Reds have contacted the Brazilian side but the report does not specify who is leading the race for his signature.
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Injury latest
Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper says it is “touch and go” whether Serge Aurier will be fit for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
The defender had been a doubt for Monday night’s 4-3 victory over Southampton, with Joe Worrall having trained at right-back as a precaution. Aurier got the green light to start, but was forced off after little more than an hour and Worrall came on in his place.
With Neco Williams ruled out for the rest of the season, it leaves the Reds short on cover in that department. Left-back Renan Lodi was also forced off towards the end of the clash with the Saints after picking up a knock.
Steve Cooper’s Chelsea plan
Nottingham Forest will assess their right-back options for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea amid concern over the fitness of Serge Aurier.
The 30-year-old has been described as “touch and go” for the clash at Stamford Bridge. He had been a doubt for Monday night’s victory over Southampton, but got the green light to start at the City Ground .
Aurier then lasted little more than an hour before he was forced off after receiving treatment on the pitch. He was replaced by centre-back Joe Worrall, who had trained in that position prior to the Saints’ visit with a view to potentially filling in for his teammate.
Merson makes relegation prediction
Paul Merson is backing Nottingham Forest to stay in the Premier League at the end of the season, despite predicting them to fall to defeat against Chelsea this weekend.
Forest go into the game at Stamford Bridge three points clear of Leicester City in 18th place in the table following Monday night’s rollercoaster 4-3 win over Southampton at the City Ground . Any points against Chelsea would mean that Steve Cooper ’s side will end the weekend outside of the bottom three.
Chelsea ended a six game losing run last weekend by coming out as 3-1 winners over Bournemouth. The Blues currently sit in 11th place in the table and under the guidance of interim coach Frank Lampard following the sacking of Graham Potter at the start of last month.
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