Nottingham Forest will make a late fitness check on Emmanuel Dennis for Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa.
The Reds continue to have a significant injury list to contend with in the midst of their survival battle. And attacker Dennis was forced off with 20 minutes to go of Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat at Leeds United.
Head coach Steve Cooper says a call will be made on whether he is available for the trip to Villa Park. Likewise, midfielder Ryan Yates remains a doubt for the game having injured his shoulder against Newcastle United just before the international break.
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“Emmanuel Dennis came off the other night. That’s something we’re going to have to look at in regards to Saturday,” Cooper said.
“We’re continuing to manage Jesse (Lingard), who has some niggles with his Achilles and his knee. Yatesy has had illness and problems with his shoulder, so that’s one we’re having to look at on a daily basis in regards to Saturday.
“Taiwo (Awoniyi) and Cheikhou (Kouyate) got some important minutes on Tuesday, so they’re getting closer after being out for a long time. The rest of it is as it was.”
However, Forest have been boosted by the news defender Scott McKenna and goalkeeper Dean Henderson are edging closer to making their returns. The latter has been absent with a thigh problem since mid-January, while McKenna suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat at Fulham in February.
“Scott McKenna is back in training, which is a positive,” Cooper said. “Dean Henderson is probably going to be back in training next week. Some players are coming back, but in regards to Saturday, other than one or two picking up some stuff on Tuesday night, it’s as we were.”
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