Nottingham Forest could be without Adlene Guedioura for most of pre-season, with the midfielder joining the Algerian national team for this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations. The group stages begin on June 21 and the final will be played on July 19.
Guedioura could potentially miss three of Forest’s friendlies in July – Atromitos at the Peristeri Stadium (July 13), Olympiacos at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium (July 16) and Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium (July 23) if he travels back to England late.
The Reds’ final game of the month will be against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on July 29. Guedioura should be available, fitness permitting, but the 33-year-old does have an uncertain future this summer. He made 27 Championship appearances in 2018/19, but Guedioura didn’t start a game since February.
The 33-year-old has 12 months remaining on his deal, but he could be deemed surplus to requirements. Guedioura has Ben Watson, Claudio Yacob, Ryan Yates for competition which could limit his playing time in 2019/20, but he remains a Forest player for now.
The lack of a summer break could hamper his preparations ahead of the new season, but he could also return to Nottingham with a major international honour if all goes well in Egypt.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Nottingham Forest man could have uncertain future as Martin O’Neill eyes replacement
