Nottingham Forest have been going through their paces at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium ahead of Saturday’s friendly.
The Reds are in Greece on a winter training camp ahead of the resumption of the Premier League season. And they will round off their week with a match against fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned side Olympiacos (5pm kick-off UK time).
Ahead of the game, the players trained at the stadium on Friday, with media invited to watch the first 15 minutes of the session. Here’s what we noticed from observing on the sidelines.
READ MORE: Scarpa, Spence, transfers - Forest questions answered as January looms
READ MORE: Forest could have a real gem on their hands after not-so-secret transfer
Back on duty
Brennan Johnson was amongst the group in Piraeus. The attacker had been given some time off following Wales’ World Cup exit, but is now back with his Forest teammates.
While his time in Qatar didn’t end the way he would have hoped, the 21-year-old will still take a lot from the experience. And he seemed in good spirits in Greece.
Johnson’s international colleagues Wayne Hennessey and Neco Williams have not yet linked up with the squad again. Likewise Remo Freuler remains on some down-time, having been representing Switzerland.
Scarpa straight in
Gustavo Scarpa made a positive impression when he got his first minutes in the Garibaldi in Tuesday’s behind closed doors game against Atromitos. Playing in the no.8 role, he chipped in with a couple of assists.
He seemed to have slotted in well in training, too. Wearing a headband, chatting with fellow Brazilian Renan Lodi and Willy Boly before the session began, the attacking midfielder appeared to have fitted in well.
He officially becomes a Forest player on January 1, when his contract with Palmeiras expires, but he will hope to feature again against Olympiacos. If he does, fans will be able to get their first glimpse of what he has to offer.
Injury update
Harry Toffolo made his return from a hamstring injury in the friendly against Stoke City, and was involved in the training session. The Reds still have a few players on the treatment table, though.
There was no Omar Richards or Moussa Niakhate in training. Both are continuing their rehab as they look to recover from a hairline fracture of the leg and a hamstring problem, respectively. Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate was absent, having been stretchered off in Senegal’s opening World Cup clash last month.
High spirits
Training was buoyant; the mood around the camp has been very positive, while being focused on the task ahead at the same time. Players were laughing and chatting with each other before the drills began - with goalkeepers Dean Henderson, Jordan Smith and youngster Adnan Kanuric doing their work separately.
Head coach Steve Cooper and skipper Joe Worrall took time to have a little discussion away from the main group. But there was the same sense of team spirit on show which characterised the Reds’ turnaround in fortunes before the hiatus.
John McGovern was on hand to observe proceedings, too. Since he took charge, Cooper has been keen to have the European Cup winner involved, and he has been right in the midst of things in Greece.
How will Forest fare in the second half of the season? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT
