As with plenty of clubs, injuries are taking their toll for Nottingham Forest as a long, hard campaign enters its final stretch.
The Reds currently find themselves without a number of key players ahead of their final three games of the regular season. And they have three more who are doubtful for Saturday’s clash with Swansea City.
Forest are particularly short of forward options. But there is no possibility of the club being able to call upon Lyle Taylor should they be involved in the Championship play-offs.
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Skipper Lewis Grabban has now been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a hamstring problem, having only just returned from an ankle sprain. He is facing a six to seven-week lay-off.
A hamstring injury is also still sidelining Aston Villa loanee Keinan Davis. He was forced off in the defeat at Luton Town, with a four to five week spell out of action likely. Boss Steve Cooper had previously been coy over whether he could be back for the play-offs, however.
With Grabban and Davis out, Sam Surridge has been the only fit senior out-and-out striker on the books. But the latter is one of the players - along with Jack Colback and Philip Zinckernagel - said to be doubtful to face the Swans.
Cooper has said Surridge is managing a groin issue. He was substituted with 15 minutes to go in Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Fulham.
The Reds have coped well with absences before, with head coach Cooper always maintaining a ‘next man up’ philosophy. But should Forest be involved in the play-offs, that would not include being able to use Taylor.
The 32-year-old joined Birmingham City on loan in January and has scored five goals in 12 appearances for the Blues. Even though Birmingham’s campaign would technically be over by the time the play-off matches are played, Taylor would still be classed as being on loan so could not feature for his parent club.
The Reds took youngster Dale Taylor as part of the travelling squad making the trip to Craven Cottage in midweek, although he was not part of the matchday 18. And Cooper has said “there is always a possibility for young players”.
