Nottingham Forest could be without four players ahead of this weekend’s Championship meeting with Stoke City – Al arbi Hilel Soudani (knee), Daniel Fox (back), Sam Byram (knee) and Juan Rafael Fuentes (knee) have all been ruled out. Daryl Murphy (virus) could return, however.
The in-form Reds welcome Gary Rowett’s side to the City Ground on Saturday and are favourites to pick up all three points, which could see them move into third place if other results go their way. Karanka doesn’t have any new players out of action from last week but instead could welcome back an attacker.
Murphy hasn’t been a regular, making only five Championship appearances under Karanka, but he’d been making the matchday squad when fit. The 35-year-old missed games against Norwich City (October 20), Bolton Wanderers (October 24), Leeds United (October 27) but was meant to return against Sheffield United on November 3.
Karim Ansarifard could keep his place in the matchday squad while Murphy is given an extended rest. As for the rest of the injured stars, Byram has been ruled out of action until February 2019, Fox’s return may not be for a while due to ligament damage and Karanka admitted he doesn’t know when Soudani will return.
