Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has dismissed any suggestion that Morgan Gibbs-White should have withdrawn from England duty earlier this month.
Gibbs-White was not in the match squad on Saturday as the Reds fell 3-0 away to Arsenal. He has been struggling with an ankle problem since October’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, and Nuno said he was “not in the right moment” to feature at the Emirates Stadium.
The 24-year-old had been with the Three Lions prior to the Premier League’s resumption at the weekend and had received his second cap by coming off the bench against Greece. However, Nuno has refused to blame Gibbs-White’s participation for his country for aggravating his injury.
Asked if it would have been better for the attacker not to join up with England, Nuno told BBC Radio Nottingham: “No. Not the case. I always mention about national team players, that their participation with their national team is always something we should be proud of.
“Morgan did a fantastic job to go there, and he did a very good job being there and helping England. He came back and he was not 100 percent but this is part of our job - to assess and make the right decisions. Hopefully for the next one he can help the team.”
Elliot Anderson also missed Forest’s clash with the Gunners. The midfielder was ruled out with a foot injury, but Nuno said he hoped both the summer signing and Gibbs-White would be fit for this Saturday’s match at home to Ipswich Town (3pm kick-off).
Winger Anthony Elanga is currently a doubt to face the Tractor Boys. He was forced off at half-time against Arsenal after sustaining a shoulder problem.
“He is in a lot of pain. We have to wait for the scan. I don’t know what it is exactly but he was not able to continue,” Nuno said afterwards.
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