Nottingham Forest have got “one of the best in the league” when it comes to being a set-piece specialist.
Manchester United loanee James Garner has been praised by midfield teammate Ryan Yates for his delivery from free-kicks and corners. It is a threat the Reds will look to make the most of as they try to get past Sheffield United in the play-offs.
Fifteen of Forest’s 73 Championship goals came via a set-piece this season, with only Huddersfield Town (20), Millwall (19) Fulham (17), Luton Town and Blackpool (both 16) registering more. And Yates has pointed to Premier League leaders Manchester City - who have scored 20 in that manner - as an illustration of the weapon they can be.
Read more: Forest XI for Sheffield United play-offs clash predicted as Reds sweat on duo's fitness
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Goal celebrations
It has become a familiar sight in recent weeks, but Nottingham Forest ace Brennan Johnson’s trademark goal celebration almost made an appearance earlier in the season.
The 20-year-old first adopted the bow-and-arrow gesture when he scored a brace in the 4-1 thumping of Blackpool last month. And it quickly became synonymous with a fine run of form which helped the Reds secure a top-six finish.
Johnson has since taken his tally for the season to 17, adding a penalty in the final game of the regular campaign against Hull City. Meanwhile, his sparkling performances have seen him crowned Championship Player of the Month for April.
With a play-offs semi-final against Sheffield United ahead, the academy graduate will be aiming to get on the scoresheet again. But he’s not quite sure how he’ll mark the occasion if he does.
Injury news
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has said that Billy Sharp is ‘closer’ to returning to action in time for the play-off semi-final vs Nottingham Forest.
The veteran striker has missed the last two league games with a calf injury but is working hard to get back to fitness. The club captain has scored 14 times in the Championship this season and is the Blades' only recognised striker within the squad.
Attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye has been playing as a stand-in striker with good effect. The 22-year-old has been on the scoresheet in each of the Blades’ last three games, scoring and providing an assist in the final day 4-0 win over champions Fulham.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Heckingbottom gave an update on the potential availability of Sharp. “Bill’s another few days closer,” he said.
Blades lowdown
After a week of waiting, the play-offs begin for Nottingham Forest on Saturday as they head to Bramall Lane for the first leg of their semi-final against Sheffield United.
It promises to be an enthralling - and nerve-wracking - encounter as the two teams go head-to-head, with the return fixture to come at the City Ground next Tuesday night. At stake across the two ties is a trip to Wembley for a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
Steve Cooper’s Reds are out to end an absence of more than two decades from the top-flight, while their opponents want to make an immediate return after last season’s relegation. Ahead of this weekend, we got the lowdown on the Blades from YorkshireLive’s Sheffield United correspondent Nathan Hemmingham.
