Lewis Grabban is becoming something of an Achilles heel for Nottingham Forest.
Quite literally.
The Reds’ top marksman is continuing to nurse a niggling knock.
Said ailment prevented him from figuring against Derby.
Martin O’Neill said in the Nottingham Post after that contest: “We have known about it for a few days. He has an Achilles problem that has flared up again. Considering he is our leading scorer that is a difficult one.
“But we knew he was struggling a number of days ago, so we were able to prepare for that.
“I don’t know exactly what the situation is, I will talk to the medical staff and we will see where we are at the end of this week.”
O’Neill had warned that Grabban may miss out against the Rams and Daryl Murphy was chosen to lead the line in his stead.
And a stand up job he did too.
Potent
It could now be argued that a starting berth is the Irishman’s to lose.
Grabban, though, has 16 goals to his name this season and remains Forest’s most potent attacking weapon.
If play-off dreams had faded by now, then an extended break for a prized asset would be a no-brainer.
Don’t rush back Lewis, just get yourself right.
A top-six spot is, however, still there to be shot at.
If the Reds are to get over that line, then goals – and plenty of them – are going to be required.
Grabban has shown himself to be the most likely to provide that spark.
Time
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With that in mind, time is a commodity that Forest do not have.
They need everybody fit and firing.
Or at least something resembling fit.
Do they need to take a calculated risk on Grabban?
If he is capable of taking to the field against Stoke on Saturday, should he be involved?
Murphy showed against Derby that he is an able deputy, while Leo Bonatini is straining at the leash.
It is not that O’Neill is short on options.
It is just that the most favourable one is posing something of a selection dilemma.
Roll the dice or walk away from the table?
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