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.
READ MORE: Four former Forest players we can't believe are still playing in 2023
READ MORE: Awoniyi injury update provided as Forest prepare to face Man City
Injury latest
Head coach Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest will still be without midfielder Ryan Yates for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City, while Jesse Lingard is also a doubt.
Yates has missed the last four matches due to illness, having been forced off just before half-time of the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last month. He had also been substituted in the match prior to that, against Leicester City, after taking a whack to the face.
Lingard, meanwhile, was not involved in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Fulham due to a knee problem. He was an unused substitute in the 1-0 victory over Leeds United, having previously pulled out of the starting XI against former club Manchester United for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final with an Achilles’ issue.
“Yatesy is back training with us now but not at 100 percent, so he won’t be available for the weekend,” said Cooper. “There’s a couple more things we have to do with him before he really gets right at it, which is obviously typical Yatesy style! But we’re hoping he really steps up next week into 100 percent full training.
Contract clause
Estoril Praia have an option to buy Nottingham Forest midfielder Brandon Aguilera, the player himself has claimed.
Aguilera joined Forest from Costa Rican club Alajuelense in the summer, with the 19-year-old penning a four-year deal at the City Ground. He was immediately loaned to Guanacasteca for six months, before joining Estoril in the Portuguese top tier last month.
Despite having not played a single second of football in England, Aguilera could be set to leave Forest as soon as this summer. In an interview with ESPN, the teenager has revealed his current loan club have an option to buy him at the end of the season.
He was asked in that interview if he could have played a part for Forest in the Premier League this season, and admitted it is "something I ask myself". He also spoke glowingly about plying his trade over in Portugal.
Johnson's decision
Brennan Johnson has opened up about signing a new Nottingham Forest contract in the summer and the reason behind his recent upturn in form.
The forward fired in 18 goals to help propel the Reds to promotion but his form appeared to stutter in the early weeks of the season as his performances mirrored Steve Cooper ’s new-look side, scoring twice in his first 17 appearances. Forest's rocky run of form was typified by dramatic defeats to Bournemouth and Fulham.
However, the growing pains quietly eased for Forest, who have now lost just three of their last 12 league games, pushing the team to 14th in the table. Johnson has also enjoyed a revival of his own, registering five goal contributions in as many games, but admitted he may have been daunted by the challenge in the summer.
Asked by journalist Ariel Helwani whether he had initially suffered from imposter syndrome, Johnson replied: “Yeah, I think so, I think that’s more of a confidence thing for me personally. When things aren’t going too well or you’re not scoring or not feeling like you’re having the impact that you want, you start to doubt yourself.
How should Forest line up against Manchester City? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT
