On-loan Nottingham Forest striker Keinan Davis has been ruled out of this afternoon’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Sheffield United.
What’s the latest?
As per Nottinghamshire Live, the 24-year-old Aston Villa loanee will miss today’s crunch match with a hamstring injury.
Moreover, it looks as though the forward could miss Tuesday night’s second leg too, with Forest manager Steve Cooper replying when asked if Davis might make the City Ground clash: “I don’t think so, no. It’s not something we’ve thought about, we take it game by game.
“It would be such a quick turnaround. Normally if you are available for a Tuesday game – unless it’s a really short injury – you are probably available for what would be the Saturday game, and that’s not the case. So no, is the answer.”
Bad news for Forest
If this is how Davis’ loan spell in Nottingham is to end, it will surely be a major disappointment for Forest fans, who will have certainly warmed to the Englishman.
Since joining from Aston Villa in January for the remainder of the season, the forward has netted five goals and registered two assists in 15 Championship appearances, with Cooper’s side enjoying marvellous form since the loanee’s arrival.
Going into the play-offs, the East Midlands outfit have won nine out of their last 12 league matches and boast plenty of momentum which they will hope will prove enough to propel them back into the Premier League for the first time since 1999.
Will Nottingham Forest beat Sheffield United today?
However, without the threat of Davis up front, Forest’s chances of overcoming the Blades will certainly be hindered.
In addition to the 24-year-old, Cooper will also be without Lewis Grabban up front, with Sam Surridge and Brennan Johnson the Reds’ only available forwards going into the first leg of the play-off tie.
Despite Davis’ absence, Forest will still back themselves to make it not only to Wembley but into the top flight too, given their excellent run of form going into the play-offs.
With these two sides perhaps the favourites to take the third promotion place alongside Fulham and Bournemouth, it should be a mouth-watering tie, but Forest’s task has certainly been made harder with Davis ruled out for today at least.
AND in other news: Seven changes: Cooper to unleash £12.7k-p/w “machine” vs Blades: Forest predicted XI
