Nottingham Forest face the prospect of heading into Thursday night’s crucial Europa League tie at Sporting Braga without a recognised striker.
Igor Jesus has not travelled with the squad, the Brazilian striker having picked up a minor injury in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal.
Sean Dyche said Forest would make a call over whether to fly Jesus out to Portugal on Thursday, if he responds to treatment on what the manager described as “a bit of a knock”. But that seems an unlikely prospect – which could leave Dyche needing to be creative to find a solution up front.
“Jesus has a bit of a knock, we will have to make a call over that. We will see how that settles down over night,” said Dyche in his pre-match press conference in Braga.
Forest also have an injury doubt over defender Murillo, although the Brazilian has travelled with the group.
Igor Jesus has scored five goals in four Europa League appearances this season. (Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images)
Midfielder Ryan Yates will return to the squad following a recent hamstring problem and says he is excited to get back involved, after suffering the injury at Everton at the start of December.
“I am feeling really good. I had a few weeks on the sidelines but was fortunate enough (previously) to not have many injuries. It makes you realise how much you love it when you are out for a few weeks. I am buzzing to be back and hopefully we can put in a good performance,” Yates said.
“It is our first time back in Europe and we need to embrace it. If that gives us an extra edge, then great. The supporters have come over in their numbers again and we really appreciate that.”
A crisis of their own making
Analysis
Forest’s forward crisis is, to some extent, of their own making.
The club allowed Arnaud Kalimuendo to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan earlier this month, with the deal including an option for the German club to make the move permanent for a similar fee to the £26million Forest paid Rennes to sign him in the summer.
The 23-year-old has already registered a goal and an assist with his new club, having endured a frustrating time in the Premier League – although he had scored two goals in four appearances for the Reds in the Europa League.
Forest are close to a loan agreement with Napoli for striker Lorenzo Lucca, with the deal expected to include an option to make his move permanent, for a fee of around €40million, which is a similar fee to the one Napoli agreed to pay to sign him from Udinese. Lucca is currently on loan at the Italian champions, and he is not the only target.
Forest also expect to complete the signing of Iran international Mehdi Taremi, who was at the top of their short-list, which also included Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen.
A deal for Taremi should be relatively simple, given that he currently plays for Forest’s sister club Olympiacos, although it is expected that Forest will pay a fee for the 33-year-old.
But with Taiwo Awoniyi not included in Forest’s European squad and with last season’s top scorer Chris Wood currently sidelined with injury, it leaves Forest short of options in Braga on Thursday.
Winger Dan Ndoye could be utilised as a forward, having come off the bench to fill that role against Arsenal. Dilane Bakwa is another player who could fill the void.