REPORT; Nottingham Forest dealt fresh injury blow

The injury news that attacker Taiwo Awoniyi would miss some time is a blow for Nottingham Forest.

The front man is not included in the starting lineup for the Reds’ crucial Kenilworth Road fixture against Luton Town. It is anticipated that he will be gone for several weeks.

It wasn’t until January that Awoniyi made his comeback from a spell of absence due to groin surgery. Awoniyi played more minutes in a shorter amount of time than Forest would have preferred, but Chris Wood’s injury forced head coach Nuno Espirito Santo to discuss how he has had to handle the forward man.

Wood only recently made his own comeback from injury. He is in the starting XI against the Hatters as Nuno makes three changes to the side from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Willy Boly comes into the back line and is set to partner Murillo in the heart of the defence. Neco Williams and Harry Toffolo keep their places at full-back ahead of goalkeeper Matz Sels.

There is a return for Gio Reyna as the American is included among the substitutes after recovering from a knock. Matt Turner, Cheikhou Kouyate, Hudson-Odoi, Nicolas Dominguez, Felipe, Danilo, Andrew Omobamidele and Rodrigo Ribeiro will make up the bench.

The Reds take on their relegation rivals on the back of four successive defeats in all competitions. Ahead of kick-off at Kenilworth Road, Forest are one place and three points ahead of their opponents in the Premier League table.