A report by The Athletic has claimed that Cheikhou Kouyate is nowhere near a return to Nottingham Forest action. The midfielder was injured at the World Cup and hasn’t played since.
Forest are down to the bare bones. A training facility located close to the Queen’s Medical Centre would be ideal given how many walking wounded the Reds have at present.
Scott McKenna and Willy Boly were the latest casualties. Both were withdrawn in pretty comical fashion at the weekend; with the pair limping off together after just six minutes.
The pair join an increasing injury list. It will also mean that Steve Cooper will likely have just Felipe and Joe Worrall available for Saturday’s game against Manchester City.
Kouyate is one player who can operate as a makeshift defender. Any hopes of him returning any time soon, however, should be shelved with The Athletic claiming he’s a long way off.
The former Crystal Palace man was stretchered off as Senegal played Holland at the World Cup. The hamstring injury has plagued him ever since and he’s not been able to return for Forest.
As a result, the Reds will have to make do without him for now. The injury crisis is showing no sign of easing on Trentside and Forest will hope for better fortune moving forward.
Kouyate nowhere near a Forest return
The 33-year-old did okay for the Reds prior to the World Cup. He is an experienced figure and a player that Forest would love to have available at this stage of the season.
Forest are at breaking point with their squad. Defensively there is now a real concern and with Steve Cook being omitted from the 25-man squad, numbers are really short at centre-back.
Kouyate would have been ideal to call upon. He is naturally a defensive midfielder but he has showcased this season that he’s more than capable of playing as a central defender too.
Hopefully, Forest will get some positive news on the injury front very soon!
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