Vitor Pereira’s Nottingham Forest take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in a big Premier League clash in midweek
Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira on the touchline against Brighton and Hove Albion(Image: Getty)
Nottingham Forest full-back Nicolo Savona is facing a fight to feature again this season as he prepares to undergo surgery.
The 22-year-old has been absent for more than a month with a knee problem. His last appearance was back on January 22, when he started the Reds’ Europa League defeat away to Braga.
Forest had allowed the issue to settle down before having it reassessed by a specialist. It has now been decided an operation is the best course of action, leaving a question mark over whether Savona will return before the end of the campaign.
Help us stay visible by adding us as a Preferred Source in your search settings
“I think tomorrow (Tuesday) is the surgery,” head coach Vitor Pereira said. “He needs to have surgery.
“I really don’t know (if he’ll play again this season). After the surgery they (the medical staff) will say something and will inform us, but it is difficult.”
The Reds are still without long-term absentee Chris Wood, also due to a knee injury. It is hoped the New Zealand forward could make his comeback next month and play a part in the run-in.
Goalkeeper John Victor (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery, but Matz Sels made his comeback from a spell on the sidelines with a groin injury on Sunday. The Belgian was called back into action sooner than Forest might have liked as they had to contend with the absence of Stefan Ortega against Brighton and Hove Albion.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Get all the Nottingham Forest latest via our Facebook page
Ortega sustained a calf problem against Fenerbahce last week and was ruled out of the 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium. It meant Sels started against the Seagulls, despite not being quite fully fit.
“Ortgea got an injury. I think he will be out for a few more days,” Pereira said ahead of
“We had a conversation with Sels and tried to explain we needed him in this moment, even though he needed more days to be fit and be in shape. But he is a leader and a person with strong character. He wanted to help the team and he decided to accept the challenge.
“Between me, him and the medical department we decided to take the risk to play the game.
How should Forest line up against Man City? Click HERE to have your say