Nottingham Forest will have had a fortnight to stew on a miserable afternoon by the time they are next in action.
It was a poor result and performance by the Reds as they fell 3-0 at home to West Ham United before the international break. His team’s dismal display left head coach Nuno Espirito Santo ‘very upset’.
The defeat was Forest’s first of the Premier League campaign after they had picked up four points from their opening two fixtures. As they aim to build on last term’s seventh-placed finish, Nuno’s men will be eager to quickly bounce back.
They face a tough test as they try to do just that this weekend. A trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal is first up for the Reds when the Premier League resumes.
Nuno will hope those players currently on duty for their countries come through any remaining games unscathed before they return Trentside. Ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Gunners (12.30pm kick-off), below is a look at Forest’s injury state of play.
Nicolas Dominguez
Injury: Knee.
What we know: Dominguez was forced off in the 68th minute of Forest’s decisive 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on the final day of last term. A challenge by Noni Madueke left the midfielder requiring treatment on the pitch and he was supported by medical staff when he limped off.
A few days later, the Argentine posted a photograph on Instagram showing him lying down with his leg in a splint. He captioned it ‘recovery time’.
Dominguez had been due to link up with his national team in June for two World Cup qualifiers. However, reports from his homeland said he was ruled out of contention after undergoing surgery.
DSports Radio reported Dominguez suffered a ‘serious meniscus injury in his left leg’ and had undergone an operation. It was claimed he faced ‘at least four months’ on the sidelines - putting a potential return at around October time - although it remains to be seen whether that diagnosis proves to be accurate.
The 27-year-old appears to be making good progress in his recovery. Last week, he posted a picture on Instagram showing him wearing his football boots. He included emojis of a football, an egg timer and a flexing muscle.
Another photograph posted on social media showed the midfielder in his training gear and apparently walking out onto the grass. Additionally, he has been included in Forest’s squad for the league phase of the Europa League, suggesting a comeback might not be too far away.
How should Forest line up against Arsenal? Click HERE to have your say