Hughton: Joe injury is so frustrating for player and Forest
BOSS IS STILL WAITING FOR FINAL VERDICT ON LOLLEY
BOSS Chris Hughton has confirmed Nottingham Forest face being without Joe Lolley for the rest of the season due to a hamstring tear.
The winger pulled up during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Reading and posted a message on Instagram saying his campaign had come to an early end.
Hughton says the Reds are still waiting to find out the extent of Lolley’s injury but are likely to be without him for their final 10 Championship games.
“We knew afterwards, because of the way he pulled up, that it was a hamstring tear – it was just to what degree,” said the Forest boss.
“We are still determining that and he will see a specialist to find out the extent of it but he is going to be out for a good period of time, so that’s bad news.
“There’s every chance he could be out for the season.
“We always try to be as optimistic as possible but it’s starting to look that way.
“It’s disappointing for us but mostly for Joe.
“He was having a really good period of the game in what has been a very up and down season for him. You’re always thinking that would turn and he could have a good end to the season.
“It’s disappointing and frustrating – certainly for us, but mostly for him.
“Joe accepts this season has been very stop-start and that was arguably as good as I’ve seen him on Saturday.
“Everybody at the club knows what he can do.
“It’s a big blow. “He’ll have to get his mind very much focused on recovering, getting fit and coming back next season.”
Defender Joe Worrall is also set for a spell on the sidelines, due to a cracked rib, and could be out until after the upcoming international break.
Midfielder Fouad Bachirou (hamstring) remains unavailable, too, although centre-back Scott Mckenna and Lewis Grabban did make their comebacks against the Royals.
Summer signing Harry Arter, however, suffered a slight setback earlier this week when he featured for the Under-23s.
The midfielder has been absent with a calf issue and was withdrawn after less than half an hour against Crewe Alexandra on Monday afternoon.
“Thankfully I think it was more of a precaution,” said Hughton, ahead of tonight’s home clash with Championship leaders Norwich City (7pm). “He just felt something. But today, he feels a lot, lot better.
“Although it is a slight setback, it was more of a precaution. He felt that if he played longer, it would get worse.
“Bachirou is very close. He’s not training with us yet but we’re anticipating he could be next week.
“It’s really good to have Lewis back.
“For us to have three number nine
options fit and available is pleasing.
“It strengthens our bench, which is important.”
Like a number of teams, the Reds have had rotten luck with injuries this term, in a campaign which has been condensed due to the coronavirus pandemic and which came on the back of a shorter than normal pre-season.
“The only way we would know is to compare the injuries on average to the other clubs in the division come the end of the season,” said Hughton.
“That’s when you could get a good barometer of whether we’ve had more injuries than the average.
“It is a different season. There was a shorter turn-around and far more games in a shorter period of time.
“It would be interesting to see whether the teams with the bigger squads, who have maybe rotated a bit more, have been affected as much.
“But irrespective of that, there are always going to be clubs who just happen to have more bad luck than others.
“We have a very good sports science and medical department which works very hard every day.
“These are probably the moments where you’re grateful for the squad you’ve got.”