Nottingham Forest will be without midfielder Elliot Anderson when they face Porto on Thursday night after the death of his mother – with the club issuing their condolences
19:02, 16 Apr 2026Updated 19:15, 16 Apr 2026
Elliot Anderson will miss Nottingham Forest’s game on Thursday night(Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest have confirmed that Elliot Anderson will miss their Europa League clash with Porto following the passing of his mother.
The Premier League side will host the Portuguese outfit in the second-leg of their quarter-final, having drawn 1-1 last week. Anderson remains an integral figure for Forest but they will have to go without the England midfielder.
Anderson didn’t train yesterday ahead of the second-leg at the City Ground. Head coach Vitor Pereira said in his pre-match press conference he was unsure whether Anderson would be available for the game.
A club statement read: “Elliot Anderson is unavailable for tonight’s fixture following the passing of his beloved mother, Helen. Everyone at Nottingham Forest Football Club extends its deepest condolences to Elliot and his family following this extremely sad news. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the Anderson family at this difficult time.”
Porto have responded by saying: “Our thoughts are with Elliot Anderson and his family tonight. Everyone at FC Porto sends their deepest condolences during this difficult time.”
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Pereira has named his starting XI and made five changes from the 1-1 draw in Portugal seven days ago. Neco Williams, Ola Aina, Ibrahim Sangare, Omari Hutchinson and Jair Cunha coming into the starting XI.
Forest drew with Aston Villa at the weekend, enhancing their hopes of remaining in the Premier League. They’ve juggled their domestic hopes alongside their European ambitions, which have proved a welcome distraction.
Nottingham Forest drew with Porto in the Estadio do Dragao a week ago(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
The Nottingham outfit saw off Fenerbahce in the knockout play-offs before getting the better of Midtjylland on penalties in the last 16. They’ve already beaten Porto earlier in the Europa League, recording a 2-0 win at the City Ground.
Pereira said ahead of kick-off: “As a coach, as a player, a member of staff or a supporter, these are the nights you wish for in football. Between us all, we have a beautiful opportunity to reach a European semi-final, and we are really looking forward to the game. You don’t progress this far in any competition by chance and Porto are a strong team with a lot of quality, so we need to be at our best to compete.”
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