Boss Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest have a triple injury doubt for Saturday’s clash with Swansea City.
The Reds are in the hunt for promotion as they go into their final three games of the regular season. At the very least they are guaranteed a play-off place, but they could yet pip Bournemouth to second spot.
Keinan Davis (hamstring) and Max Lowe (groin) were already sidelined, while Lewis Grabban (hamstring) has now been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. Tuesday’s victory at Fulham has also taken its toll, with Sam Surridge (groin), Jack Colback (glute) and goalscorer Philip Zinckernagel (kick on the ankle) all with a question mark over their availability for the weekend, having been substituted at Craven Cottage.
Read more: Riverside views and St Andrew's sadness mark out best and worst Forest away days
Read more: Former Nottingham Forest manager ‘expects’ to leave club this summer
Grabban latest
Striker Lewis Grabban has been ruled out of the rest of Nottingham Forest’s season - and that might mean he has played his last game for the club.
The front man’s contract is up at the end of the campaign, but boss Steve Cooper says any thoughts over his future are on the back-burner as the club chase promotion. Grabban will not be involved for the final three games of the regular campaign, though, or in the play-off fixtures, should the Reds be involved.
The 34-year-old only recently returned from an ankle injury which had kept him sidelined since the end of January. However, he was forced off barely 15 minutes after coming off the bench in last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Peterborough United.
Taylor situation
As with plenty of clubs, injuries are taking their toll for Nottingham Forest as a long, hard campaign enters its final stretch.
The Reds currently find themselves without a number of key players ahead of their final three games of the regular season. And they have three more who are doubtful for Saturday’s clash with Swansea City.
Forest are particularly short of forward options. But there is no possibility of the club being able to call upon Lyle Taylor should they be involved in the Championship play-offs.
Fight for second
The fight for automatic promotion from the Championship could go down to the wire as Nottingham Forest battle Bournemouth for second spot.
Victory at Fulham on Tuesday night saw the Reds cut the gap to just three points, with the Cherries only managing a draw at Swansea City. Philip Zinckernagel’s goal at Craven Cottage may well end up being an important one for Steve Cooper’s side.
Forest and Bournemouth both have three games to go, with a mouth-watering meeting between the two to come at the Vitality Stadium next Tuesday. They are also level on goal difference - something which might come into play in determining the final standings.
In the event the two teams finish with the same number of points, goal difference would decide who finishes second. If that is also equal come the end of the campaign, English Football League rules state it will come down to goals scored. The Cherries are currently ahead on that front, having bagged 69 compared to the Reds’ 67.
