Nottingham Forest defender Omar Richards has taken a significant forward step in his recovery from injury.
The former Bayern Munich man is yet to make his debut for the Reds, having been sidelined with a hairline fracture of the leg since the summer. He is still some way off making his first appearance - and will not feature in the final two games before the World Cup break - but he has now partly joined in with training.
Richards was able to link up with his teammates today, as they prepare for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur. And boss Steve Cooper was pleased to have him involved.
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Investigation likely
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is to be investigated by the FA for comments he made following the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Brentford, according to reports.
Steve Cooper ’s men rescued a point from the incident-filled encounter at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon thanks to an own goal by Brentford defender Mathias Jorgensen in the final minute of stoppage time. A Brentford clearance bounced off the defender and over the line, with goal line technology awarding the goal.
It was the slice of luck Forest may have thought they deserved in a game where frustrations with decisions of the referee were evident. After Gibbs-White had put the Reds 1-0 up, Brentford were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time when goalkeeper Dean Henderson was adjudged to have fouled Yoane Wissa.
The decision was made after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), with replays showing a slight bit of contact between the players. The ruling came in the same game where Forest had three penalty appeals of their own waved away.
Pundit's verdict
Nottingham Forest’s last gasp equaliser against Brentford should have been ruled out for offside, according to football presenter Richard Keys.
The Reds came away from an incident-filled game against the Bees with a point thanks to a last-gasp own goal from defender Mathias Jorgensen. A scramble in the box led to an attempted clearance by Brentford but the ball ricocheted off the defender and over the line before Ben Mee could clear it.
The goal was awarded by the goal line technology. There was however a quick check by the Video Assistant Referee for offside before the equaliser was fully confirmed.
Although Ryan Yates was in an offside position, he was deemed not to be interfering with play. Therefore the goal was allowed to stand.
Manager talk
Torino head coach Ivan Juric has responded to links with a move to Nottingham Forest in the summer.
The Croatian is highly rated in Italy with a number of clubs said to be interested in him after he led Torino to a 10th place finish in Serie A last season. Reports in Italy over the weekend claimed that Forest were one of the clubs showing an interest.
Tuttosport claimed that the Reds are ‘considering’ the manager for next season, despite current head coach Steve Cooper signing a new contract just weeks ago. The Welshman put pen to paper on a new three-year deal, putting an end speculation over his future after a disappointing start to life back in the Premier League.
Forest are currently bottom of the table, despite scoring a last minute equaliser in the 2-2 home draw against Brentford on Saturday afternoon. The Reds have picked up 10 points from their opening 14 matches of the season and face Crystal Palace at the City Ground in their final league match before the break for the World Cup.
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