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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Lee

Steve Cooper's message to Nottingham Forest players as Reds sweat over injuries to key duo

Here are your Nottingham Forest headlines...

Steve Cooper's message to Reds players after Luton Town defeat

Head coach Steve Cooper has told his Nottingham Forest players they cannot afford to dwell on Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Luton Town.

An ill-tempered game at Kenilworth Road saw the Reds’ 10-match unbeaten Championship run ended in controversial fashion. A debatable penalty proved the difference between the two sides, on an afternoon when the visitors were not at their best.

They had their chances to get something from the game, including seeing a Djed Spence goal ruled out for an offside decision which Cooper disputed. But it was the Hatters who took the three points, to provide another twist in the promotion race.

Forest are still firmly in the mix, however - as are Luton. And Cooper is keen to see a reaction from his squad when they host West Bromwich Albion on Monday (8pm kick-off).

"We were going to lose a game at some stage. We were on a good run, in good form, playing well and scoring goals," he said.

"I’ve said to the players everything I’ve just said, plus we were going to lose a game at some stage - even if we didn’t really deserve to lose. Now we have to show that we can handle that.

"I don’t want to see any disappointment on the training ground. We get on with it."

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Predicted XI vs West Brom as Reds sweat over key injuries

Steve Cooper may be forced into making changes to his Nottingham Forest side to take on West Brom on Monday following potential blows to Scott McKenna and Keinan Davis.

Both were taken off during the 1-0 loss at Luton Town with hamstring injuries and it would be a surprise to see Cooper risk two key players.

That could mean a change in shape to a flat back four with Steve Cook still out, as is Max Lowe. Philip Zinckernagel will hope for a recall after losing his place to Lewis Grabban. They passed up a good chance each, while Zinckernagel hit the post when coming off the bench.

Grabban was making his first start after an ankle injury. He could lead the line in Davis' absence, as could Sam Surridge, who has consistently done well from the bench. Skipper Grabban could also play off Surridge, while winger Joe Lolley is another option for a start with Zinckernagel then playing behind the main striker.

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Supercomputer gives encouraging verdict on Forest's promotion push

A complex supercomputer has predicted how Nottingham Forest's season will finish as the Reds prepare for their final six Championship games.

The Reds suffered their first league defeat in ten games with a 1-0 loss at Luton Town on Friday afternoon.

That defeat, coupled with Bournemouth's home draw with Middlesbrough, means the Reds are seven points adrift of the automatic promotion spots but four points inside the play-offs.

Fulham had the chance to confirm automatic promotion but squandered a one-goal lead at Derby County to lose 2-1 at Pride Park.

Following the latest round of results, data experts at FiveThirtyEight have predicted who has the best chances of getting promoted this season...

They claim Fulham have a probability of more than 99% of getting promoted this season. If Forest lose and Fulham win on Monday, their promotion will be confirmed.

Bournemouth have a 92% probability of going, meanwhile the Reds have a 34% chance of getting promoted.

Read the full ranking here

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