Catching a break with injury woes is proving almost as tough for Nottingham Forest as turning around their miserable away form.
The two might well be linked, given the number of key players the Reds have found themselves without this season. But just when there were hopes the international break could help with an easing of the situation (affording valuable recovery time for some), fresh fears have arisen over the fitness of other players ahead of Saturday’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Having previously been hit hard in central defence, Forest now have concerns at the opposite end of the pitch. Brennan Johnson, Andre Ayew and Chris Wood all withdrew from being on duty with their countries, while there is still uncertainty over whether Taiwo Awoniyi will be in contention for this weekend as he makes his way back from a groin strain.
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If all four are unavailable, or at least unable to start, that could pave the way for Sam Surridge to get a chance. But it could also mean another run-out for Emmanuel Dennis.
Even if some of those mentioned above are fit, there is still a case to be made for keeping Dennis in the XI at the City Ground. He arguably deserves to retain his place after a good performance - and an exquisitely-taken goal - against Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old has frustrated so far, since putting pen to paper in the summer. Capable of making a positive run one minute, he can then be guilty of giving the ball away cheaply in the next breath.
His strike against the Magpies showed what he is capable of, however. There is no doubt he has got some quality, Forest just haven’t been able to unlock it on anything like a consistent basis.
The challenge for Steve Cooper is to ensure Dennis builds on that display from last time out. The forward should be full of confidence after finding the back of the net; he just needs to keep that level up.
If and when Johnson and Awoniyi get the thumbs up, they will almost certainly be in the first XI. The Reds will be hoping the latter can quickly get back to the kind of form he was in prior to being sidelined.
Even if he ends up returning to the bench at some point during the next 11 games, though, Dennis can still have a role to play. Cooper needs all of his forwards firing. Forest need goals to come from all over the pitch. They need options, both to start matches and for making an impact as a substitute.
Dennis might not be one of the first names on the team-sheet in the run-in, but he is more than talented enough to do his bit. Against Newcastle, he provided a glimpse of what he can offer; now, the Reds need more of that.
Survival scraps can throw up unlikely heroes. A fired-up Emmanuel Dennis would be a big plus for Forest.
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