Martin O’Neill has revealed that Tendayi Darikwa missed Saturday’s defeat to Rotherham as he was struggling with a hamstring injury. The Nottingham Forest defender was a surprise omission in the matchday squad and was replaced by Saidy Janko at right-back.
The Reds manager says Darikwa picked up the injury after March’s win over Swansea and could return in time to face Sheffield Wednesday. O’Neill told Nottinghamshire Live: “Tendayi had a hamstring problem after the game against Swansea.
“He trained (on Monday) and we will see whether he is right. He felt a lot better, which is fine. But you are always concerned about hamstrings.” The 27-year-old has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, making one assist.
In the Championship, Darikwa has made 28 appearances, 78 clearances, blocked 12 shots and 13 crosses, has won 33 aerial duels (46%), averages 45 passes-per-game with 76% accuracy and has averaged a tackle (49) or interception (53) every 25 minutes.
He’s been a regular at right-back under both Aitor Karanka and O’Neill, but it’s unknown if he’ll be called upon to start against Wednesday on Tuesday evening. The midweek clash may have come too soon for him given he’d only returned to training on Monday.
O’Neill can’t afford to get his squad selection wrong for their meeting with the Owls, as Forest are currently three places and five points off the playoffs with six games remaining. The Reds have won just one of their last four and haven’t managed a victory on the road in the league since November 2018.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Martin O’Neill must start 25-year-old against Sheff Wed, defender should be dropped
