Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has provided an update on Ryan Yates and Moussa Niakhate ahead of the trip to Fulham. The boss has been speaking with BBC Sport ahead of this weekend’s game at Craven Cottage.
Yates has been missing for a little while. His last outing came against Bournemouth where he was forced off in the first half. The week previous he was withdrawn at half-time during a 2-0 win over Leicester City.
It’s not been overly communicated in terms of what has been wrong with Yates. Cooper did suggest before the win over Leeds, however, that the problem had been identified and he wouldn’t be far away.
Niakhate has proved unfortunate so far this season. He was brilliant for 90 minutes against Newcastle on the opening day but then picked up a serious hamstring problem in the win over West Ham.
He’s not been seen since and his recovery has been difficult. Now, however, there does look to be some light at the end of the tunnel, with Cooper addressing the two players earlier today.
He told BBC Sport: “Ryan Yates is close to returning to full training, hopefully early next week.
“Possible news with Moussa Niakhate, he is back on the grass, non-contract and not in full training, but in the final stages of his rehabilitation where he can do some parts.
“It’s brilliant as he’s been out for a long while. It’s great for him to be back among the boys.”
Cooper has provided an update on Yates and Niakhate
It will be great to get both players back in a Forest shirt as quickly as possible. Niakhate looked really good during his couple of appearances and everyone knows the quality that Ryan Yates possesses.
Yates has been a miss of late. Other players have deputised well in his absence but his determination and drive do give Forest something different in midfield.
As for Niakhate, his warrior-like qualities will be a useful option for Cooper. He has an abundance of appearances to his name in the Bundesliga and that experience could be telling.
Forest must travel to Fulham with both Niakhate and Yates. The fact they’re on the way back, however, is good news for the Reds in their quest towards survival.