Defender Renan Lodi was “touch and go” to be involved against West Ham United, as injuries continue to hamper Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian had been struggling with a groin problem prior to the game and faced a late fitness test to determine whether he could feature. A debate was also had at half-time of the Reds’ 4-0 thumping as to whether he could continue.
Eventually, he made way with little more than 10 minutes to go at the London Stadium. It followed the substitution of Jonjo Shelvey, which head coach Steve Cooper explained was down to the midfielder’s fitness levels following a recent calf issue.
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“It was touch and go, really, whether he would play in the game,” Cooper said of Lodi. “We had to make another decision at half-time over whether he carried on.
"He was a doubt going into the game, for sure. We had to make a decision on Friday.
"He had a fitness test on Friday, and at half-time as well it was definitely something he was playing with. It ended up that he had to come off.
"I think he'll be fine. It was something he couldn't quite shake off, in terms of this one. He tried to battle through it, but it just got a bit too much.”
Forest already have a significant number of players on the sidelines. Serge Aurier added his name to the list last weekend, in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Jesse Lingard made his comeback from Achilles’ and knee troubles against the Hammers, while Ryan Yates was back in training prior to the match after illness. Scott McKenna (hamstring), Willy Boly (hamstring), Dean Henderson (thigh), Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring), Moussa Niakhate (hamstring), Omar Richards (hairline fracture of the leg) and Giulian Biancone (ACL) remain out of action, although Niakhate did travel to the capital with the match squad.
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