Explained: Why Matty Cash missed Nottingham Forest’s win over Derby County

Matty Cash was left out of the matchday squad in Nottingham Forest’s narrow win over Derby County as he hadn’t recovered in time from the cut on his achilles. After being ruled out against Preston North End earlier in the month, the 21-year-old was meant to be back to face Derby. Martin O’Neill even said he was making progress in the days leading up to the City Ground clash.

Cash, however, had missed out on training in the week and O’Neill wasn’t going to risk aggravating his injury by selecting him. Forest were in decent form ahead of the Derby meeting so it was unlikely that many changes would be made the starting eleven. Ben Watson returning to the side for the injured Lewis Grabban was the only move O’Neill made.

With Forest boasting two wins and two draws from their last four games, it may be hard for the likes of Cash to force his way back into the starting lineup. He hasn’t played for the Reds since facing Brentford on February 9 and might have to settle for a place on the bench when he does return. Next up for Forest is Stoke City on March 2.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article