Nottingham Forest continue to give defender Steve Cook their “full support” after his father suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday night.
Following the Reds’ 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth, Cook posted a message of thanks to paramedics for reviving his father before the game. It is not known whether he was aware of what had happened when he lined up against his former club.
The centre-back is unlikely to be involved when Forest play their final game of the regular season on Saturday, at Hull City. But head coach Steve Cooper says he would probably have been left out anyway as he was left with a bloody gash at the Vitality Stadium, following a clash of heads.
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Asked if Cook had known about his dad prior to kick-off, Cooper said: “He made it public through his social media platform what happened. I don’t think it’s my story to tell. Because it’s such a personal thing, I think he should be the one who gives you the details.
“The only thing I want to say is we are in good, close contact with him and his family. They have got our full support. Family and health will always come first before football.
“They are managing the situation at the moment, which is private and has to come from him, really. But we’re in close contact. We’re very together with him.
“He suffered a really bad gash to the head on Tuesday. He probably won’t feature at the weekend, but I don’t think he would have anyway, because of his head.
“The most important thing for him is being around his family, and particularly his dad, making sure he does what he needs to do there. He has our support.”
Cook had said on Twitter after the midweek defeat which saw the Reds miss out on second spot as the Cherries clinched automatic promotion: “First of all a big congratulations to @afcbournemouth on promotion but tonight I need to thank the paramedics at the game. Unfortunately my dad suffered a cardiac arrest just before the game and they managed to bring him back to life. I’ll forever be grateful for their actions.”
