Nottingham Forest defender Tendayi Darikwa has been ruled out for a number of months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training this week.
It isn’t good news for Nottingham Forest fans ahead of the season’s opener against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow.
Having seen Sam Byram opt to join Norwich City this summer instead of making a return to the City Ground, Darikwa was the only recognised right-back left in Sabri Lamouchi’s squad. The 27-year-old was one of the most improved players last season.
This season would’ve provided him with the perfect opportunity to claim the right-back spot as his own.
According to the Nottingham Post, the right-back suffered the problem in training this week. It has now been revealed just how damaging the injury could be to the defender’s season.
There’s no doubt that the Reds looked very difficult to score against under the management of Aitor Karanka at times last season. Darikwa was part of a strong defence alongside the likes of Michael Dawson, Tobias Figueiredo and Jack Robinson.
‘Stay strong’, ‘Speedy recovery’
Following the reports on the severity of his injury, Forest players of past and present have been tweeting their messages of support to Darikwa.
Joe Lolley and Matty Cash from the current squad tweeted the 27-year-old:
Former players Jorge Grant and Dimitar Evtimov, as well as Tyler Walker, who is on the verge of joining Lincoln City on a season-long loan, also wished Darikwa their best wishes on his road to recovery.
Matty Cash looks most likely to slot in at right-back against West Brom this weekend. Lamouchi has been utilising the 21-year-old academy graduate in that position over pre-season.
There’s no doubt that this is far from ideal though. The Reds will want to sign another right-back before they travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United next weekend.
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