Options open for Forest in Rovers clash
NOTTINGHAM Forest will be boosted by the return of Ryan Yates and Luke Freeman for the Championship visit of Blackburn Rovers today.
The duo are both available for selection as boss Chris Hughton gets closer to having a full squad to choose from.
Yates has been absent for the last month with a calf injury. His last game was the defeat to Middlesbrough, when he limped off in the closing stages.
Freeman, meanwhile, missed Wednesday night’s 1-0 loss away to Swansea City as his wife gave birth the day before.
The Reds are, though, still without Sammy Ameobi (knee), Harry Arter (calf), Samba Sow and Scott Mckenna (both ankle).
“Both Ryan and Luke are available, which is good,” said Hughton.
“Sammy Ameobi has trained today, as did Samba, but they’re still just a little bit short at the moment.
“They are close, but it’s certainly good to have Ryan Yates back and Luke Freeman after being off on paternity leave.”
The reverse fixture at Ewood Park in October was Hughton’s first in charge of Forest, having replaced Sabri Lamouchi.
The visitors were pointless going into that game, losing their opening four League fixtures, but went on to win 1-0.
They have picked up a further 30 points since then, leaving them 18th in the table ahead of this weekend’s games.
The Reds manager feels progress is being made, but believes his team still have some way to go as they look to make sure of Championship safety.
“You never know how much there is to come, but that’s what you’re
always working towards,” he said.
“I think we have made progress on a way of playing and on the pitch.
“We’ve obviously made progress as regards points, because of where we were at that time, but still not enough for me, as regards points.
“I’m happy with the level of performance, but still not happy with the points we have. It’s still very uncomfortable.
“On more occasions than not, performances get you results.
“There are going to be games where you don’t play well and get a
result – like Swansea on Wednesday. They will possibly look at that as a game they didn’t deserve to win, but they did.
“You’re always going to get those types of games.
“But, generally, to get the points you want and the results you want, it comes with a level of performance. The two go hand in hand.”
The midweek result ended a run of four unbeaten for Forest, though they have lost only twice in their last 12 League games.
With the gap to the bottom three standing at only five points, however, Hughton is eager to climb further away from danger.
“In any job, what you aim to do is do the best job you can and get the best results you can, because we’re all judged on what your season has been like,” he added.
“I have been in this position before. But for where we are, I would like to see a performance and points tally which go hand in hand.
“Probably, that hasn’t been the case. I think our performances have been better than the points we’ve got.
“But, ultimately, it’s going to be about how you finish the season and the position you finish the season in. That, we have to improve.”