Ryan Yates has been out of action with a knee injury and was expected to return after the international break, but the 21-year-old won’t be rushed back too soon by Sabri Lamouchi. He underwent knee surgery over the summer and is nearing recovery, but Nottingham Forest have enough cover in his absence.
The Reds are enjoying a bright start to the season and have enough substance in midfield from John Bostock, Alfa Semedo, Ben Watson and Samba Sow to not miss Yates. Liam Bridcutt had to join Bolton Wanderers on loan while Claudio Yacob can’t even make the matchday squad.
Yates should return to training in less than two weeks, but he will be considerably short of match fitness. Forest have four games in all competitions this month – Swansea City (Championship) on September 14, Barnsley (Championship) on September 21, Arsenal (EFL Cup) on September 24 and Stoke (Championship) on September 27 – but Yates could miss the majority of matches.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, making 17 appearances in all competitions, but he may face a difficult task to get minutes under Lamouchi.
