Paul Taylor of Nottinghamshire Live confirmed on Twitter that Tendayi Darikwa has suffered an ACL injury and will miss Saturday’s meeting with West Bromwich Albion. The 27-year-old could also be out of action for the remainder of 2019.
It’s a major blow for Sabri Lamouchi. Darikwa was a regular under Aitor Karanka and Martin O’Neill and could have been first-choice at right-back under the latest Nottingham Forest manager too. His knee injury opens the door to Matty Cash and Jayden Richardson, however.
Taylor believes Richardson will now be given an opportunity to prove his worth in the first-team after impressing for the u23s last season, but Cash could start agains West Brom. The 21-year-old often operated at right-back and right wing-back in 2018/19 and was used in defence throughout pre-season too.
Lamouchi will have to weigh up his options and may consider signing a new right-back before the summer transfer window shuts on Thursday, August 8. After the Reds missed out on Sam Byram to Norwich City, Vital Forest pondered whether Alan Hutton, Danny Simpson or Todd Kane would be a good option, but no progress was made on the trio.
Kane has since gone on to join Queens Park Rangers, but Hutton and Simpson are still available on a free transfer. Time will tell if Forest make a move, however.
