Opinion: Nottingham Forest’s team news could mean midfielder will face Derby

Nottingham Forest announced their team news on Sunday and gave no update on Matty Cash which could suggest he’s available to face Derby County. The 21-year-old missed the Reds’ last two league games due to a ”slight problem” but was expected to return for the East Midlands derby.

At the time, Martin O’Neill initially hoped Cash would be back in “a couple more days”, but he ended up missed the meeting with Preston and has been deemed as doubtful leading up to Monday night’s clash. With Forest in decent form, Cash wouldn’t be in contention of starting against Derby but there would be a place on the bench.

He’s scored six goals in 27 Championship appearances this season, having made 29 successful dribbles and 16 chances. Cash was a regular under O’Neill until he picked up his injury and Ryan Yates’ upturn in form might keep him out of the starting eleven for the foreseeable future.

Cash is a hard-working player who gives Forest a threat in the final third due to his propensity to run at his opponent and get balls into the box, so he’d be a useful option from the bench if fit. With no word from Forest suggesting otherwise, Cash might be back.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article