Injured trio facing wait for Forest’s return to top flight YATES AND SURRIDGE IN RACE TO BE
FIT FOR
THE countdown is well and truly on as Nottingham Forest prepare for their Premier League return.
Reds fans have had to wait more than two decades to see their team back in the top flight.
But that long exile will finally come to an end on August 6.
Steve Cooper’s side make the trip to Newcastle United for their first game back among the elite.
And the fight is on to secure a place in the starting line-up at St James’ Park.
Forest do have a few injury concerns ahead of their opening fixture, however.
Here’s a look at the current state of play:
■Omar Richards
Injury: Hairline fracture of the leg. How long could he be out for? Minor fractures usually take about six to eight weeks to heal. It could be a little longer than that for the defender to make a full recovery.
What has been said: “He has picked up an injury, and we’re still getting to the bottom of it,” said Reds boss Cooper after his team’s friendly victory over Hertha Berlin.
“It’s really unfortunate. It’s not going to be a few days, but it’s not going to be months and months and months. It’s something we’re going through and working on.
“When we know conclusive dates, we’ll let you know. But I guess the short-term feeling of it is one of a little bit of disappointment, because we got him here and he was so excited.
“He trained really well, and obviously it’s a bit of a set-back. I said to him, ‘nothing changes, in terms of the plan for you, it’s just a little bit delayed.’”
■Ryan Yates
Injury: Knee.
How long could he be out for: Cooper said the midfielder would be out for a month, when speaking after the friendly against Burton Albion on July 12. It is expected he will return slightly quicker than that, but it could still be a race to be fit for the start of the campaign.
What has been said: “Yatesy is out for a month. He got injured in Spain, unfortunately – which he’s obviously delighted about,” Cooper said, with the last part very much with tongue in cheek.
“He’s strained a ligament in his knee. It’s a blow for him.
“As you’d expect, he came back extremely fit and raring to go. He hit the ground running in Spain, caught the eye in training, and then unfortunately he’s picked that up.”
■Sam Surridge
Injury: Groin.
How long could he be out for: The striker missed the promotion celebration event in Market Square the day after victory at Wembley, as he travelled to Germany for an operation. He has worked hard on his rehabilitation over the summer, and is eager to be back for the start of the campaign.
What has been said: Speaking during the training camp in Spain earlier this month, Surridge said: “I did it a few games in. It was a little one; a hernia. They diagnosed that towards the end of the season.
“It was leading into my groin. It was uncomfortable. But Keinan (Davis) got injured and Grabbs (Lewis Grabban) got injured, so I needed to keep going.
“It was getting worse and worse. But I wanted to wait until the end of the season to get it done. It’s paid off.
“The recovery is going really good.
Hopefully I’ll be back in a couple of weeks.
“I’m not really putting a time on it. I want to be back as soon as I can, but I just want to get stronger and ready for the new season.”
Cooper said after the Hertha Berlin match: “Yatesy is not far from joining back in – you can imagine how he has been the last week or so! Sam is equally close to joining in.
“He was on the surgery table the day after the final. He’s just worked incredibly hard to get back. Those two guys are so fit, so we’re looking forward to them coming back.”