Gustavo Scarpa has provided a positive update as he works towards making a return for Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder picked up an injury prior to the Reds’ 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. It ruled him out of the trip to Villa Park and added to the significant number of absentees head coach Steve Cooper is having to contend with.
Scarpa’s last appearance was as a substitute against Leeds United, having also been a doubt for that clash after missing the 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Cooper has not indicated how long the Brazilian could be sidelined for, but the player has uploaded an encouraging post on social media.
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Scarpa posted a picture of himself in the gym at the Nigel Doughty Academy. He wrote: “Getting better.”
Injuries have had a big impact on Forest’s season as they fight to retain their Premier League status. Cooper has had to cope without the services of a number of key players at different times.
Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate added to the Reds’ woes when they limped off against Villa with hamstring problems. Both have only recently returned from lengthy spells on the sidelines.
In addition to Scarpa, full-back Renan Lodi has recently been added to the injury list, while Emmanuel Dennis was on the bench in the West Midlands but was not 100 percent after suffering a knock at Elland Road. Scott McKenna and Jesse Lingard were unused substitutes last time out, having had spells out of action.
Cooper said afterwards: “Since Leeds, Scarpa has got injured and Lodi has gone injured. Renan had a kick in training which is going to keep him out for a little bit. Dennis just about made the bench but was a risk.
“And then we picked up two injuries in the game as well. On that front, not ideal again.
“It’s definitely not gone our way with injuries. We’ve done everything to look at why that is.
“It’s just not helped in any way, shape or form. But as I’ve said before, I’m keen not to talk too much about it, because then it starts looking like an excuse.
“Is it ideal? No, of course it isn’t. But I don’t want to sit here and talk to you guys and the fans about the injuries we’ve got, because you still put a team out there which is capable of doing well in games. That’s more where my focus is.”
Forest are still without Serge Aurier, Ryan Yates, Chris Wood, Willy Boly, Dean Henderson, Omar Richards and Giulian Biancone. They host Manchester United at the City Ground on Sunday.
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