Nottingham Forest predicted XI as Nuno faces big decisions ahead of Fulham clash
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo remains confident he has a deep enough squad to compete on two fronts as Nottingham Forest return to Premier League action this weekend.
The Reds made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday night by seeing off Exeter City on penalties, leaving the carrot of a Wembley semi-final firmly on the horizon. Meanwhile, Forest are third in the top flight and have a very real chance of securing European football.
Nuno prefers to work with a small group and Forest ended the winter transfer window without their ranks being strengthened. But the Portuguese’s resources could be put to the test after a couple of players sustained injuries in Devon.
Neither striker Taiwo Awoniyi or goalkeeper Carlos Miguel would likely have been in line to retain their starting spots for Saturday’s clash with Fulham (3pm kick-off). But both could be ruled out of taking any part at Craven Cottage.
Miguel is facing a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring problem. It means Wayne Hennessey will step up to be back-up keeper in the capital and academy youngster George Murray-Jones will likely take up the role of third-choice for the time being.
In the case of Awoniyi, Forest are waiting to discover whether concussion protocols must be followed after he was on the end of a nasty collision against the Grecians. If so, he would definitely be ruled out of this weekend’s match. The front man also sustained a broken nose and is in the process of having a mask fitted to cater for the fracture.
In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Nuno was coy over whether winger Callum Hudson-Odoi would be fit for Saturday. The 24-year-old has missed the last three games with a groin problem.
If he is fully fit, Hudson-Odoi would likely come back into the XI against Fulham. However, there is perhaps a temptation for Nuno to stick with the same team from the Reds’ previous league outing when they thumped Brighton and Hove Albion 7-0.
Morato’s non-involvement in midweek would suggest Nuno is at least considering going with a back three. Against the Seagulls, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo and Morato ensured Forest returned to being resolute at the back after they had shipped five away to Bournemouth.
Whether he goes with a three or four-man defence, the Forest boss could also have a decision to make in midfield. On Tuesday night, Ibrahim Sangare made his first start since recovering from a hamstring issue and notched up two assists.
The 27-year-old certainly caught the eye and will hope a league start is not too far away. Nuno will continue to tread carefully with him, though, so Sangare might find himself back on the bench at the weekend. Danilo and Elliot Anderson worked well as a pairing in the previous league game so it would be no surprise if the duo keep their places against the Cottagers.
In Hudson-Odoi’s absence against Brighton, Nuno opted for Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White as the attacking support for Chris Wood as he tweaked formation. If Hudson-Odoi is fit, a return to Forest’s usual 4-2-3-1 shape could be on the cards.
Asked about the depth of his squad, Nuno said ahead of this weekend: “It will be better if we maintain everyone healthy and available, because I think we can compete in both competitions until the end of the season. But we don’t operate on ‘ifs’. The reality is I think we have a balanced and good squad.”
Forest predicted XI to face Fulham: Sels; Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato; Aina, Danilo, Anderson, Williams; Elanga, Wood, Gibbs-White.
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