Murillo problem explained as Nottingham Forest FA Cup challenge emerges
Murillo problem explained as Nottingham Forest FA Cup challenge emerges
Nottingham Forest face a race against time to get some of their international players back for their FA Cup quarter-final later this month.
The Reds sign off for the two-week hiatus this afternoon with a trip to face Ipswich Town in the Premier League (3pm kick-off). They will then return to action on Saturday, March 29, when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion in a last-eight cup tie at the Amex Stadium (5.15pm kick-off).
In between those two games, Forest have several players away on duty with their countries. And for some, the long trips involved could mean they will link back up with their team-mates only a few days before the clash with the Seagulls.
Centre-back Murillo has been called up by Brazil and could feature against Argentina in Buenos Aires on the Tuesday night (UK time) prior to the Brighton game. Full-back Ola Aina and Nigeria also have a World Cup qualifier, at home to Zimbabwe, that evening. Additionally, striker Chris Wood and winger Ramon Sosa also face racking up the air miles for New Zealand and Paraguay respectively.
On Murillo’s situation, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said: “He plays Tuesday. Tuesday night for UK time. I think it’s going to be a long trip. Not only him, Sosa, Chris, and we have some issues about Ola also.
“But I think he (Murillo) is going to be here by Thursday. It’s going to be tight (for Brighton), but it’s possible.”
On Aina, Nuno added: “It’s the travelling (that is the problem). It’s a tough one at Brighton. We need everybody.
“The club is taking care of that, as it always does. Hopefully we can get everyone back as quickly and as safely as possible.
“We are delighted that they travel and then we are anxious when they play (in case of injuries). And then we are looking forward to them coming back and being available for us.”
In Murillo’s case, this will be his second call-up for Brazil and the hope is he will get some minutes this time. The defender did not get on the pitch when he was selected for the squad for the November internationals.
Leave a Reply