Keeper Neil injury horror

BIRMINGHAM manager Lee Bowyer admitted he feared for his goalkeeper Neil Etheridge – who was “not moving” after being knocked out in an on-field collision.

Etheridge raced out of his goal to challenge Forest’s Djed Spence and the pair crashed into each other. The Blues keeper needed around eight minutes of treatment before being taken off on a stretcher.

Bowyer said: “It was a worry because he wasn’t moving.

“A lot of arms were getting waved on the field.

“He was out cold the whole time, concussed, and was taken to hospital. So he’s in the right place.

“Both players were going at speed. Part of Spence’s body connected with his body. They were fully committed, there was no malice there. We’re just waiting and hoping for some good news.”

It came in a match where on-loan Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis carried on his scintillating form to provide the platform for Forest’s fifth win in a row.

Steve Cooper’s men leapt up to third place after going 10 games unbeaten – and are now just six points behind second-placed Bournemouth.

After five minutes, Davis powered his way in on goal from the left-hand side and scored with an angled drive. The Villa boy stood in front of Birmingham fans to milk the celebration.

A late rare goal from defender Scott McKenna sealed the points and Cooper hailed another strong display from Davis.

The Forest boss said: “Kienan deserved that goal the way he’s been playing recently.”

Asked if he was unstoppable at the moment, Cooper said: “I hope so, because that would bode well for us.”

But he did not comment on speculation that Davis will be out of the picture next season.

Cooper said: “I won’t talk about what’s going on at Villa, I’m just glad we’ve got him here at the moment. We’ll enjoy him while he’s here.

“He’s been good, he’s got strong, positive aspects to his game.

“There’s confidence and momentum and he’s putting that to good use.”

Cooper will not allow himself to look further than the next match, but has challenged his players to keep their good run going.

He added: “If we focus on being the best version of ourselves we can be, we can dominate and win games, and that’s what we need to do now.”

SICKENER Spence collides with Etheridge, and the keeper needed urgent medical treatment N FOREST: Samba 6 – Worrall 7, Figueiredo 7, McKenna 8 – Spence 8, Yates 8, Garner 8, Colback 8 – Zinckernagel 8 (Lolley 81 5) – Johnson 7 (Grabban 81, 5), Davis 8 (Surridge 81, 6). Subs not used: Horvath, Laryea, Mighten, Cafu. BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 6 (Trueman 68, 5) – Gordon 5, Roberts 6, Colin 6 – Hernandez 5 (Graham 75, 5), Gardner 6, Bacuna 6, Sunjic 6, Pedersen 6 – Richards 5 (Jutkiewicz 81, 5), Hogan 5 (Deeney 81, 5). Subs not used: Woods, Bela, James. MAN OF THE MATCH: Scott McKenna: Did not put a foot wrong at the back and sealed the points with Forest’s second REFEREE: Gavin Ward 6.