Latest Nottingham Forest news as Sean Dyche's Reds prepare to face the Cherries in Premier League clash
13:39, 26 Oct 2025Updated 13:41, 26 Oct 2025
Nottingham Forest's James McAtee (centre), Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliot Anderson (left)
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Nottingham Forest's James McAtee (centre), Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliot Anderson (left)(Image: PA)
Head coach Sean Dyche had to make some tough decisions when naming his Nottingham Forest squad to face Bournemouth this afternoon.
Dyche has made one change to his starting XI from Thursday night’s 2-0 Europa League win over Porto. That alteration is an enforced one as Nicolo Savona replaces the injured Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Chris Wood and Dilane Bakwa also miss out through injury. However, there is one other notable absentee from the match squad.
Summer signing James McAtee is not even on the bench to face the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium (2pm kick-off). The attacker’s absence is understood to be simply a selection choice, rather than injury related.
Forest have plenty of depth at the top end of the pitch. It is a sign of the size of Dyche’s squad that someone has to miss out for the new boss’ first Premier League match in charge.
"We have had to cram weeks of work into days and the players have been receptive,” Dyche told Sky Sports (via the BBC) ahead of kick-off. “We have got some good players here.
“There has to be a framework but there has to be a freedom. I want us to attack well and then get back into shape.
"They have had a lot of changes here and this is another change. It is a big week but there is a bit more of a breather next week."
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Dyche made the perfect start to his tenure in midweek by ending the Reds’ long winless run. Porto were beaten at the City Ground for a first victory in any competition since the opening day of the season.
Not since toppling Brentford when Nuno Espirito Santo was still in the dugout had the Reds triumphed. Their success on Thursday night immediately lifted the cloud that had descended Trentside during Ange Postecoglou’s tough 39-day reign.
Three points provided the perfect confidence booster for Dyche’s men ahead of their trip south. Penalties from Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus made the difference on the night, while Forest also registered a first clean-sheet since April.
Against Bournemouth, Savona will start at right-back, with Neco Williams set to switch to the left. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo will make up the defence ahead of goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Douglas Luiz and Elliot Anderson will make up the midfield. Dan Ndoye, Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi will provide attacking support for front man Jesus.
The bench will be made up of Victor John, Morato, Ibrahim Sangare, Taiwo Awoniyi, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Nicolas Dominguez, Omari Hutchinson, Ryan Yates and Jair Cunha.
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