Forest sweat over Lolley, Cash fitness
LAMOUCHI WAITS TO SEE IF KEY DUO CAN TAKE ON THE SWANS
KEY duo Matty Cash and Joe Lolley remain injury doubts for Nottingham Forest ahead of tonight’s crunch clash with Swansea City at the City Ground (6pm).
The pair missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Preston North End and the Reds are sweating on their fitness again for a fixture which could confirm their play-off spot.
Winger Lolley is suffering from shin splints, having been withdrawn at half-time in the 1-0 defeat by Fulham a week ago, while his defensive team-mate has picked up a slight injury.
Forest go into the match six points ahead of the seventhplaced Swans, knowing victory would clinch a top six finish – and head coach Sabri Lamouchi will make a late call on whether to take a risk on two of his star men.
“They are not much better than before Preston,” said the Frenchman.
“We will decide if it is too risky or not to play one or both of them, because they are very important for us.”
Carl Jenkinson impressed at right-back in Cash’s absence at Deepdale, coming to the rescue with an important block late on in the match.
The former Arsenal man has had to bide his time this season, given the form of his rival for the shirt.
Saturday’s game was Jenkinson’s eighth appearance of the campaign, with his last one before that coming against Charlton Athletic at the start of February.
Lamouchi also has Tendayi Darikwa able to step in, as he featured in a matchday squad for the first time this term against the Lilywhites, having recovered from a ruptured ACL.
“They are the two options if Cashy is not available,” Lamouchi said.
“We will check Cashy later. “But I was so impressed with Carl. He is very professional and it was a good performance. It was job done from Carl.
“If Cashy cannot play, I have two options – Carl and Tendayi.
“Tendayi has worked hard for many, many weeks and now he’s back with the group. I’m happy for him because he’s a fantastic boy.”
Jenkinson was one of four changes made by the head coach at the weekend, with Michael Dawson another as he took the place of Tobias Figueiredo at centre-back.
The veteran defender has also seen little game time in the second half of the campaign, with Lamouchi making clear there is no room for sentiment.
“The most important thing is to pick the best team,” he said.
“I never give time for players to make them happy.
“Sometimes I make some wrong choices, because I was wrong; not because the players didn’t play so good but because it was my mistake.
“I am working hard in this club for the best result.
“I am not here to give time for someone or make someone happy. No way.
“This is not like that.”