This season’s FA Cup has also caused injury concerns, with Taiwo Awoniyi suffering a facial injury against Exeter City in the fourth round, which sidelined him for a few games.
Nottingham Forest has been fortunate in terms of injuries this season, but Monday’s FA Cup opponents, Ipswich Town, have suffered a severe setback.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s injury against Southampton resulted in a significant absence, with the winger missing the 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth and only appearing briefly in Forest’s defeat to Fulham.
Even when there appeared to be major fitness problems, such as when Murillo was substituted against Brighton, Murillo was later photographed walking easily after the match, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo relieved.
Ipswich don’t appear to have been as fortunate as the Forest manager, as their latest injury update ahead of Monday’s encounter is dismal reading.
Ipswich Town will be without Omari Hutchinson against Nottingham Forest.
Before the FA Cup fifth round, Espirito Santo hinted at team rotation against Ipswich, which does not appear to be a luxury that Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna can afford.
McKenna told club media on Friday that talisman Omari Hutchinson will miss Monday’s game owing to an injury sustained against Manchester United on Wednesday.
He went on: “He’s [Hutchinson] getting some scans, there’s some damage there but not as bad as it could’ve been with the tackle that it was so yeah, he won’t be available certainly for the next game [vs Forest] and we have to make assessments after that.”
Hutchinson has started all but two of Ipswich’s Premier League games this season, scoring five goals, indicating that he would have played an important role on Monday if he had been fit.
He’s not the only one out, as McKenna is presently lacking a slew of first-team players ahead of their trip to the City Ground.
Ipswich have a painful injury list ahead of the Nottingham Forest clash.
With the Forest squad appearing fit, McKenna must be cursing his luck for the ailments he is dealing with during an already difficult season for his team.
Expanding on the fitness of some of his other first-team talents, he told the East Anglian Daily Times: “Kalvin [Phillips] is progressing nicely, but we don’t know when he’ll be back. He isn’t training with the group today or for the following three days. That’s a day-to-day situation.
Then, about goalkeeper Christian Walton, he stated: “I can’t put an exact timeframe on it, but he’s back doing some work on the grass with the goalie coaches.” He hasn’t joined the team yet, so we’ll see how he progresses. He is heading in the correct direction.”
Forest are prepared to offer Espirito Santo a new contract as a result of his outstanding performance, but given the severe Ipswich injury list, the Portuguese manager must be extremely relieved with how the season has progressed in terms of injury record.
