Nottingham Forest have submitted a request to the Premier League to have Steve Cook reinstated to the 25-man squad, according to The Telegraph.
The Reds left the central defender out of the squad when they had to submit their official numbers in January.
Since then, Forest have been bitterly unlucky. Last week both Scott McKenna and Willy Boly were withdrawn after just seven minutes.
Both players will miss weeks rather than months and that leaves Felipe and Joe Worrall as the club’s only options.
Cook will have been disappointed to miss out but now he will hope to earn a reprieve from the Premier League.
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Percy, however, believes that the submission is a long shot but does highlight just how short Forest are in defence.
The Reds face Manchester City at the weekend. After that, they go to West Ham before facing a real six-pointer against Everton at home.
At this stage, Forest won’t have a recognised central defender on the bench against City – or for the foreseeable.
As a result, Forest have made an ambitious move to try and resubmit their squad with Cook included.
The defender was only left out as he was expected to leave. A move to Luton never materialised and much like Lewis O’Brien, he was left in limbo.
Forest have submitted request to have Cook reinstated
The Reds hope to receive the result of their application by Friday. That’s the time that Cook would have to be registered in order to play on Saturday.
The report does say that Forest feel they have valid grounds. They can prove they have a serious injury crisis and Cook is already a signing at the club.
Cook, 31, has played 14 times for the Reds during 2022/23 but lost his place amid some decent form when other players were called upon.
Nobody is suggesting that Cook would help Forest stay up. He’s been inconsistent at best this season but having the option off the bench would be helpful.
Cook’s experience could help and he’d provide adequate backup from the bench at the very least.