Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala seems to have taken a significant step in his recovery from injury.
The summer signing was forced off in the second half of the Reds’ 1-1 draw at Everton last month, after receiving treatment on the pitch. Initially, it was hoped he was suffering from “fatigue”, but it then became clear a spell on the sidelines would be required.
Mangala has not featured since then, due to a hamstring problem. And boss Steve Cooper has spoken about having to be “careful” not to rush him back.
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However, over the weekend, the 24-year-old posted some pictures of himself in training with his teammates on Instagram. He captioned one of them: “Back.”
Forest are currently awaiting a decision on whether Friday’s Premier League clash at home to Fulham will go ahead as scheduled. They were due to make the trip to face Leeds United this evening, but that match was postponed - along with all of the weekend’s round of fixtures - following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
If the game does not take place, the Reds would not play again until next month, due to a planned international break after this weekend. Their next match would be away to Leicester City on Monday, October 3.
Speaking before taking on Manchester City at the end of August, Cooper said of Mangala’s injury: “It’s not serious, it is a hamstring injury. It's still a bit inconclusive of when he will come back, but it is more days and weeks, rather than any longer than that.
“We have to be a little bit careful, with it being a hamstring, but I saw him out on the grass running - with the physios, not with us. That is a step forward in his recovery.
“We will see where we’re at at the end of the week with it. The sooner he can be back available, the better for us.”
Defender Moussa Niakhate is also out of action with a hamstring injury, having to come off late in the 1-0 win over West Ham United. And Omar Richards has yet to make his debut for the club, due to a hairline fracture of the leg.
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