Grabban in bust up at training over injury
LEWIS GRABBAN has been at the centre of an injury dispute with Nottingham Forest, Sportsmail understands. Grabban is said to be taking the advice of his personal fitness coach, which has at times run counter to the opinion of Forest physios.
The issue became contentious during training the week before the match against Derby on February 25, when Forest officials are believed to have questioned the extent of Grabban’s achilles problem. Sources say Grabban took exception and left training visibly irritated.
Grabban was not in the squad for the match against their bitter rivals, which Forest won 1-0, and was also omitted from the 2-0 defeat at Stoke on Saturday. Sources close to the player insist he knows his body fully and would play if at all possible.
Martin O’Neill has moved to mediate the situation — it is understood a resolution has since been found — and the Forest manager is hopeful of selecting the 31year-old for Saturday’s game against Hull if treatment goes well.
Forest are eager to get the £6million signing playing to aid an outside bid for the play-offs. They are ninth, four points off sixth place and Grabban is the side’s top scorer with 16 goals.
Grabban played the full 90 minutes against Preston on February 16 and reported the achilles injury afterwards.
O’Neill, who has made a major impact since replacing Aitor Karanka, is taking a diplomatic stance publicly.
Speaking ahead of the Stoke game, the Forest manager said: ‘Lewis is no closer. He has had another injection, to help alleviate it. He has been trying to play through the pain barrier. We do not want to do damage. That would be a pointless exercise.’
When asked if the problem could be resolved in the summer, O’Neill added: ‘Yes, without question it is.’