Vital Forest News

Report: Forest face significant injury concern ahead of decisive Stoke clash

|
Image for Report: Forest face significant injury concern ahead of decisive Stoke clash

Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi has revealed that goalkeeper Brice Samba could miss his side’s final game of the regular season at home to Stoke on Wednesday night.

Following their late defeat at Barnsley on Sunday, Forest go into that game knowing that they still need a point to guarantee themselves a place in the play-offs this season.

Samba missed that defeat at Barnsley due to injury, and it seems he could once again be on the sidelines in midweek.

Providing an update on the goalkeeper’s fitness, Lamouchi told Nottinghamshire Live: “He felt something in his leg and he was out.

“We need to check him tomorrow and to see if he can play the next one. Or if not the next one – if we do everything to get the right result – we will see after.”

Will Samba be missed against Stoke?

Yes

Yes

No

No

However, if Samba is not available against Stoke, Lamouchi is confident that Jordan Smith will once again be able to step in between the posts, just as he did against Barnsley.

Discussing Smith, whose appearance against the Tykes was just his second of the season, the Forest boss said: “I liked the performance from Jordan Smith.

“It was a perfect game from him. A perfect performance from Jordan. There was not one mistake.

“Nobody expected this change. Unfortunately it happened, but Jordan played the perfect game. If he plays like that in the next one, we have a chance to play the play-offs.”

This will be something of a concern for Forest, considering how impressive Samba has been throughout the season so far.

However, if this is not a serious injury, with goal difference meaning Forest should still have enough to secure a top-six spot even if they lose at Stoke, it makes sense not to risk Samba if there is a chance he could be back for the play-offs.

Indeed, with Smith proving a reliable alternative against Barnsley, you feel there should be no concerns about leaving Samba out in that respect either.

Share this article