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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

Injury update provided on Nottingham Forest duo ahead of key Brentford clash

Nottingham Forest will make late calls on the fitness of Moussa Niakhate and Taiwo Awoniyi ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brentford.

Striker Awoniyi took a heavy blow to his shoulder in the first half of Wednresday night’s 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion. He continued until the 80th minute but had strapping on his shoulder afterwards.

Niakhate, meanwhile, was forced off after just 14 minutes in midweek with a hamstring problem. With Scott McKenna and Willy Boly sidelined, it could mean Joe Worrall and Felipe are the only available natural centre-backs for the trip to the capital.

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“It is still a bit inconclusive with that one,” head coach Steve Cooper said of the defender. “We will have to see with regards to tomorrow.

“He definitely did the right thing. He felt something in the game and we were able to make the change. But regarding the extent of his availability, we will have to wait and see on that.

"Taiwo also took a really bad bang to his shoulder. We will see where he’s at.

“The rest is just normal fatigue with a three-game week and only a few days after the last game. We have to consider all of these things.”

The Reds have, however, been dealt a blow with the news Neco Williams will miss the remaining five games with a fractured jaw. He was stretchered off after a collision with Brennan Johnson against the Seagulls and has since undergone an operation.

“It’s not good. When you saw the collision on the pitch and him being stretchered off, you always feared the worse. Unfortunately it is bad news, with the fractured jaw,” Cooper said.

“He has had an operation, which has gone well in a difficult situation for him, and it rules him out for the season. Now he is on the road to recovery.

“It is a difficult situation for him. He got himself back into the team recently and was playing really well. He had a confidence about him and a spring in his step. It's a blow for us and definitely a blow for him.”

How should Forest line up against Brentford? Have your say in the comments below

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