Nottingham Forest defender Serge Aurier has hinted that he could be fit to feature in the club’s Premier League clash against Chelsea with the player appearing to have travelled with the rest of the squad.
Forest will be making their way down to London tonight (Friday) ahead of Saturday’s clash at Stamford Bridge. Steve Cooper ’s side go into the game looking to pick up just their second away win of the season, but know a point will keep them out of the relegation zone for another week.
Aurier has been a key player for Forest this season, since joining on a free transfer in the summer. He has though been rated as ‘touch and go’ as to if he would be fit enough to play against Chelsea.
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The full-back was forced off the field just after the hour mark in Monday’s 4-3 win over Southampton and was replaced by Joe Worrall. With Neco Williams ruled out with a broken jaw, it leaves Forest short in the right-back area.
Naturally a centre-back, Worrall has been training in the right-back position over the last couple of weeks with a view of stepping in for Aurier if needed. But Aurier’s latest update has raised hopes that it may not be necessary.
The Ivory Coast international has posted a picture of teammate Morgan Gibbs-White on what looks like the team bus on his Instagram story. That indicates that Aurier is included in the travelling squad that is making its way down to London.
Giving an update on the defender in his press conference on Thursday, Cooper said that the player would be given every chance to prove his fitness before the weekend’s clash.
“Serge walked off and we’re doing everything we can to see if he’s available,” he said . “Maybe in a different time of the season and if Neco was fit it might be a different situation, but we are going to give him everything we have to see if he can be available. But that’s going to be touch and go.”
How big of a boost would it be if Aurier is fit? Tell us in the comments section
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