Nottingham Forest manager provides a team news update ahead of the crucial Crystal Palace match.
Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has been encouraged by positive signs from his players as they begin to gel as a group in recent weeks.
The Reds enter Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace at the bottom of the Premier League table, but only five points behind Aston Villa in 13th. They want to finish on a high note before the World Cup, with the possibility that a positive result will lift them off the bottom of the division.
And after a summer of change which saw 22 signings brought in as the club prepared for life in the top-flight, Cooper believes there is reason to be hopeful. He also has some tough decisions to make for the weekend’s clash, after a number of players came into the side and impressed in Wednesday night’s Carabao
And after a summer of change which saw 22 signings brought in as the club prepared for life in the top-flight, Cooper believes there is reason to be hopeful. He also has some tough decisions to make for the weekend’s clash, after a number of players came into the side and impressed in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The Welshman will assess the fitness of defender Scott McKenna and midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, who were both left out of the squad in midweek due to knocks. He will also be without Orel Mangala, who is suspended following his red card against Tottenham, as well as Harry Toffolo (hamstring), Moussa Niakhate (hamstring), Omar Richards (hairline fracture of the leg), and Giulian Biancone (ACL).
“Scott McKenna and Cheikhou missed out on the game yesterday due to injuries.” “We’ll see how they do over the weekend,” Cooper said. “We also got Orel suspended, so he won’t be available for the weekend.”
“Because of the quick turnaround, I haven’t had a chance to assess the boys from last night.” But I
don’t see any major concerns from the game, it’s just the knocks we picked up from last weekend.
