Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhate has taken an important step in his recovery from injury this week but remains some way off being available for selection.
The centre-back has made just two competitive appearances for the Reds since his summer switch from Mainz. A hamstring problem and various setbacks have kept him on the sidelines since August.
Niakhate linked up with his teammates on the grass for the first time since then this week. But Forest will not rush him back into action, with head coach Steve Cooper exercising caution over when he could potentially make his return.
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Transfer talk
Nottingham Forest could get another chance to sign Santos forward Angelo Gabriel.
Forest reportedly had an opportunity to sign the 18-year-old last month, but saw an initial bid of €15million (£13m) rebuffed by the club before bettering their offer to €18m (£16m). However, Santos rejected the way in which Forest offered to pay for the player, according to Brazilian outlet UOL.
It was reported that Santos then also turned down an offer of only €8m from rivals Flamengo, 'despite the promise of money coming in immediately'. Angelo caught the eye in the Copa Libertadores, after becoming the youngest player to play and score a goal in the competition aged just 16.
Newcastle were also said to be keen to sign the forward, but Santos stood firm and rejected their £17m bid. According to UOL, Angelo told Santos that he wants to stay at the club until at least the next transfer window.
'Easy decision'
New signing Andre Ayew says it was an “easy decision” to opt to join Nottingham Forest amid offers from elsewhere.
The free agent was wanted by the Reds’ Premier League rivals Everton, among others, but he chose to pen a short-term deal at the City Ground last week. Linking up again with head coach Steve Cooper, who he worked with at Swansea City, was a big lure, and having recently left Qatari side Al Sadd, he was eager to return to English football’s top-flight.
Ayew has played at this level before, with the Swans and with West Ham United. He says it was always his dream to get back to this stage.
"No comment on clubs," he said, when asked about the links with Everton. “There were a few, whether in England or outside, I don’t like to say names.
Pundit's verdict
Former Premier League defender turned pundit Jamie Carragher believes that it was the reaction of the Nottingham Forest fans which saved Steve Cooper from leaving the club earlier in the season.
The Reds boss was under big pressure back in October, with the Welshman the bookmakers’ favourite to be shown the door following a 4-0 loss against Leicester City. The result left the team bottom of the table.
However, in a surprise twist, amid the speculation over his future, Cooper instead put pen-to-paper on a new deal at the City Ground. That loyalty has now been rewarded with the Reds enjoying their best run of form of the season, moving them six points clear of the relegation places.
Cooper has always been popular among Forest fans, with his name sung by the away end after the defeat against Leicester. And Carragher believes it was the reaction of the fans to the manager that influenced Evangelos Marinakis’ decision to stick by him.
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