Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi has outlined the fitness progress on four key players ahead of tomorrow’s curtain-raising trip to Barnsley, during his pre-match press conference.
The Reds boss takes his team to South Yorkshire for the first round of the Carabao Cup and two players are seemingly ruled out.
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Tiago Silva has been heavily linked with a move to Olympiacos and Lamouchi has confirmed that he won’t be making the trip up the M1.
During his pre-match press conference, he gave updates on four players, with positive news on a couple of stars.
He told the club’s official YouTube channel: “Tiago Silva is not available. There is also some doubt over Samba Sow.
“Joe Lolley has trained with us, so afterwards it will just be my decision.”
Jack Colback hasn’t featured in any competitive action since a 2-0 defeat for Forest against Sheffield United in 2019.
Lamouchi has confirmed, however, that he is in contention to make the trip to Oakwell tomorrow.
He continued: “He can start. He has impressed me and he has impressed everybody from the beginning – like Luke Freeman, like Lyle Taylor. They have increased the level, the intensity and the quality of training.”
There had been some notion that tomorrow’s game might be used as a glorified friendly to some managers.
The Championship kicks off next weekend and clubs won’t want to see their players pick up needless injuries.
Priorities
A good cup run shouldn’t be underestimated though and after last season’s ending, Forest could dearly do with a good start.
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Having the likes of Colback and Lolley available would be a bonus, although there’s every chance they might still be saved for next weekend.
Forest’s last away game of the 2019/20 campaign was at Oakwell, with the Reds shipping a 94th-minute goal to lose 1-0.
The Reds will hope to set the score straight tomorrow.