Latest Nottingham Forest headlines brought to you by Nottinghamshire Live on April 24...
Forest left with big injury concern after Peterborough United win
Nottingham Forest have been left sweating on the fitness of striker Lewis Grabban after their 1-0 victory over Peterborough United.
The front man only returned from an ankle injury earlier this month, having been sidelined since the end of January. And the Reds will be hoping he isn’t now facing another spell out of action, as he looked in some discomfort before leaving the London Road pitch.
Grabban missed Monday night’s 4-0 thumping of West Bromwich Albion due to illness. He returned to take a spot on the bench against Grant McCann’s side as Forest took a significant step towards guaranteeing a top-six finish.
However, having replaced goalscorer Sam Surridge with 15 minutes to go, the front man then had to be substituted himself in the 89th minute. It would be a significant blow if the injury does prove to be anything serious.
Surridge shows he can shoulder huge Forest responsibility amid Grabban blow
It’s not definite yet. Not quite. But Nottingham Forest have taken a big, big step towards guaranteeing a top-six finish.
Not that anyone at the City Ground will be getting carried away, or getting ahead of themselves. Steve Cooper will make sure of that. Previous experience also urges caution in these kinds of situations.
Still, it felt like a particularly significant result at Peterborough United. And a hard-fought one at that. The kind which suggests this team can grind out important results in different ways.
The Reds didn’t have it all their own way at London Road. Indeed, for a fair chunk of the game it was tough going.
A scrappy affair had been low on chances in the first half. Posh might well have thought they’d go in at the break feeling pretty happy with their 45 minutes’ work.
But that’s what good teams do. And particularly good strikers. Sam Surridge made the difference.
Forest fans react as Reds claim 'nervy' win
Nottingham Forest fans have sent Steve Cooper a subtle warning despite their 1-0 win over Peterborough United virtually securing a Championship play-off spot.
The Reds were frustrated during the first half and managed just three shots - two on target - before the interval. Sam Surridge came to rescue, however, as Forest produced a moment of brilliance to counter-attack and score. Philip Zinckernagel and Brennan Johnson linked up perfectly on the half-way line, and the latter's eventual floated cross was headed home by Surridge.
A point in the next game means Forest will be involved in the play-offs for the first time since the 2010/11 season. Despite all-but securing an extension to the league season, Forest fans had a message of warning for Steve Cooper.
One supporter said: "Not a great performance but points are all that matters at this stage, Bournemouth slip up just once and it’s in our hands, got to win every game now though!"
Another added: "Horrid game that, but on the right side of the result which at this stage is all that matters. Shame about Grabban as poor as he was. Strikers an issue...Surridge or bust!"
Grant McCann's 'tough' admission as Forest victory relegates Posh
Peterborough United boss Grant McCann says he hopes the pain of suffering relegation to League One will motivate the players towards promotion next season.
Posh had their fate sealed after falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Steve Cooper's high-flying Nottingham Forest side on Saturday. Peterborough join Derby County and Barnsley in heading into League One and McCann - who only took over the reins at London Road in February - said he hopes his side will bounce back positively after relegation to the third tier.
"It’s a tough day for everyone,” McCann told the Peterborough Telegraph. “It’s a sad day for the good people who work tirelessly behind the scenes and for the fans who part with their hard earned money at home and away games. We just haven’t been able to deliver for them."
