Head coach Steve Cooper remains "hopeful" Morgan Gibbs-White, Serge Aurier and Wayne Hennessey will be available for Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester United.
The trio were not involved in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup victory over Blackburn Rovers. Gibbs-White took a kick in the first half of Forest’s friendly victory over Valencia prior to the trip to Ewood Park and was immediately substituted, while Aurier felt a twinge in his calf against Olympiacos.
Goalkeeper Hennessey was on the bench in Spain, having returned from representing Wales in Qatar, but picked up a knock in training. Assuming he is fit, he will be in line to start at Old Trafford next Tuesday night as first-choice Dean Henderson is ineligible to play against his parent club. Any doubt over the Welshman would leave Cooper to call upon academy graduate Jordan Smith, whose last competitive game was in March 2021.
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Asked whether Hennessey is likely to get the green light, Cooper said: “We hope so. He picked up a kick on his return to training after the World Cup and it ruled him unavailable for the last couple of games, including the Valencia game, but we are hopeful he will be available.
“Similar for Morgan and Serge. We are hopeful they will be available. It is still a little bit inconclusive but we will see in a few days' time.
“We knew it was coming that Dean wouldn’t be able to play; it is part of any loan agreement, so it doesn't come as any surprise. We have more than capable lads that can play in goal for us if Dean doesn't play.
“Wayne has huge experience, and he brings that every day with his training and his presence around the training ground. And Jordan has been here for a long time. Both add value, not just to the goalkeeping department but the culture in general. We are looking forward to the game. Whoever plays, we are going to have to be at our best.”
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