Nottingham Forest feel they “need to stand up for ourselves more” over poor refereeing performances.
On the back of last Sunday's 2-2 draw with Everton, the club have submitted a dossier to the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL). It came after head coach Steve Cooper blasted referee John Brooks’ performance against the Toffees, saying he had “too much impact on the game”.
The Reds were particularly incensed by the decision to award a free-kick in the visitors' favour, which led to their second goal, rather than for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White. It is among a number of calls against Forest which have come under scrutiny this season.
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Transfer talks
Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien is edging towards a loan move to the MLS.
The 24-year-old has been in limbo since a January deadline day switch to Blackburn Rovers collapsed. But the Reds are understood to be hopeful of securing a deal for O'Brien to head to America, with talks in progress and DC United a possibility.
O’Brien had been due to join Championship side Rovers for the rest of the season, in a deal which would also include a purchase clause should promotion be achieved. An issue over the timing of the paperwork being filed before the window closed meant the move was not approved by the English Football League. Blackburn challenged the decision, but an independent arbitrator rejected their claim.
The summer signing was left out of the Reds’ 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of the campaign, leaving him facing the prospect of not playing competitively for the next few months. He is understood to be keen to play, and has continued to train with the Forest first-team squad.
Injury boost
Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is edging closer to making a return from injury.
The 33-year-old suffered a torn hamstring while representing his country at last year’s World Cup. He was stretchered off in Senegal’s opening group game following a collision with the Netherlands' Frenkie de Jong.
Kouyate had been in good form for the Reds prior to that. And with head coach Steve Cooper having had to contend with a lengthy absentee list in recent weeks, he has been boosted by the summer signing’s return to training.
“I don't think there are any fresh injuries. Some boys are getting close,” Cooper said ahead of this Saturday’s trip to face Tottenham Hotspur.
Making progress
Nottingham Forest defender Giulian Biancone says he is making positive progress in his recovery from his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
An innocuous incident in training prior to the Reds’ match against Brentford in November saw the summer signing’s season ended early. It came after he had made just three appearances for the club since his move from Troyes.
Biancone’s Forest teammates showed their support by wearing t-shirts bearing his name, shirt number (2) and the phrase ‘#together’ during their warm-up before facing the Bees. And he has received lots of supportive messages since, while he recently spoke with head coach Steve Cooper via FaceTime.
The 22-year-old underwent surgery in Austria and started his rehabilitation in Italy. He is now in the next phase of recovery and says he is fully focused on getting fit again.
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