Nottingham Forest now turn their attention to the Carabao Cup as they aim to bounce back from successive 3-0 defeats in the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou's first match in charge of the Reds did not go the way he had hoped on Saturday as the visitors were comfortably beaten by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. But he was clear after the final whistle that there is no time to waste when it comes to implementing his ideas.
Postecoglou wants to see a Forest side more in his own image come Wednesday night's tie with Swansea City (8pm kick-off). He is expected to ring the changes to his starting line-up and showcase a more attacking style of play.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis is targeting trophies under the new head coach, so a cup run would be most welcome. A positive result would also be a big confidence booster for the Reds as they aim to get their season back on track amid a busy fixture list. Below is a look at Forest's injury state of play ahead of the clash with the Swans.
Murillo
Injury: Knock.
What we know: The Brazilian was forced off with 37 minutes gone against the Gunners after picking up a knock. He had initially tried to continue after receiving treatment on the pitch but was eventually replaced by Nicolo Savona just before the break.
Murillo hobbled off the pitch unaided, at least. Postecoglou suggested afterwards it was not a serious injury.
**What has been said:**“He has a knock. We are hoping it is nothing too serious and that he will be available next week,” the Reds boss said after the final whistle in the capital.
Ola Aina
Injury: Hamstring.
What we know: The full-back is expected to be sidelined for at least three months after sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty. He limped off after just 10 minutes of Nigeria's 1-1 draw with South Africa last week.
Aina underwent scans back on Trentside and is now facing a lengthy spell out of action. He was left out of Forest's 25-man Premier League squad for the first half of the season, with striker Taiwo Awoniyi reportedly included instead.
What has been said: “It added to the disruption, and then you lose Murillo. It just added to the disruption," Postecoglou said after the defeat to Arsenal.
“We had to make some changes to the line-up that meant Neco (Williams) had to play on the right-hand side and Morato had to play as a left full-back, so that was a bit disruptive. But again, all that sort of stuff is just a moment in time."
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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. He recently 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.
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