Nottingham Forest injury update as Nuno mulls over Brighton selection dilemma
Defender Willy Boly is “close” to being available again for Nottingham Forest as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side aim to maintain their fine start to the season.
The Reds are unbeaten after their first four Premier League games, and last weekend’s brilliant 1-0 win at Liverpool has only bolstered the positive mood further.
Nuno would love to have a full squad available for Sunday’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion (2pm kick-off), but is without long-term absentees Danilo (broken ankle) and Ibrahim Sangare (hamstring), as well as Boly (calf).
He nevertheless has a considerable selection dilemma as he weighs up whether to stick or twist with the winning team from Anfield.
“We are the same,” Nuno said of Forest’s injury situation. “Boly is really close to joining the group. Unfortunately, Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are out for a while.
“Last weekend doesn’t change anything. The players did amazing - how they did it, how they helped each other and how they played football in a tough place. But we move forward. That game is over.
“We have a different opponent on Sunday requiring different decisions, maybe different players. We still have a training session tomorrow to put it (the team selection) right, then we must compete.”
Perhaps Nuno’s biggest decision centres around whether to start Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga after they made the difference from off the bench at Anfield. Having packed the midfield and stifled Liverpool for the best part of an hour, the introduction of the two wingers saw them combine to score the only goal of the game.
“Since the beginning we tried to make the players understand - and I think they realise it - that everybody is important. It doesn’t matter whether you start or not,” Nuno added.
“We have 21 players available and we have to decide. Not everyone can start but everyone is a part of it. Even if you only play one minute or are not on the bench, you are part of the group with the way you help in the training sessions. This is the spirit and the mentality we must have.
“After that, it is up to us to manage the momentums of the players and what we want from them. We are quite happy with the way they are understanding that football is about the squad, not only about the team or individuals. This weekend will be a different game. They are totally different opponents.”