Nottingham Forest have announced that Moussa Niakhate is back out on the grass as he recovers from a hamstring injury. It would appear there is now some light at the end of the tunnel and things are on the up for the man signed from Mainz.
It’s been a long old road to recovery. Niakhate was injured during Forest’s maiden home game back in the Premier League. He felt a problem in the back of his leg and has been out injured ever since.
Niakhate had looked like a really useful signing. He was quality against Newcastle on the reopening day of the season, following that up by helping the team towards a clean sheet against West Ham in the 1-0 win.
The 26-year-old cost Forest £12 million from Mainz in the summer. There, he captained the side and helped them finish in a very decent eighth place during 2021/22.
He spent four years with Mainz and rather annoyingly he was rarely injured and played 135 times. Still, that’s football in a nutshell and nobody is to blame for this unfortunate episode.
Forest will dearly want to get Niakhate back on the pitch. He’s an uncompromising performer and his left-footed balance will bring wonders to the back four.
Forest have announced that Niakhate is back on the grass
This is wonderful news for Forest fans and the faithful will be keen to see him back in the Garibaldi and playing in Steve Cooper’s team.
Niakhate is physical, strong and reads the game exceptionally well. Nothing against Scott McKenna but Cooper will see the Senegal international as an upgrade.
Forest do have plenty of options at central defence. Joe Worrall was an unused substitute at the weekend, with McKenna and Willy Boly in possession of the shirts.
Felipe has also joined the club from Atletico Madrid. He will hope to play plenty of games too, whilst Niakhate could also tempt the manager into switching to a back five again.
Regardless of what happens when he’s ready to play, Niakhate back at this stage of the season will be an undoubted boost for Forest.