Latest Nottingham Forest news as Sean Dyche's Reds prepare to take on Sturm Graz in Europa League clash
05:00, 05 Nov 2025
Sean Dyche the head coach of Nottingham Forest
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Sean Dyche the head coach of Nottingham Forest
Sean Dyche has already hinted squad rotation will come into effect this week as Nottingham Forest face two important matches before the international break.
Dyche’s first three games as head coach have been characterised by retaining a mostly settled side. He has made consistency and continuity a key focus in a bid to turn around the Reds’ form.
The likelihood is he will resist making sweeping changes for Thursday night’s Europa League clash away to Sturm Graz (5.45pm kick-off). Nevertheless, a few tweaks to the starting XI from last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United are on the cards.
The last time Forest were in midweek European action (last month’s 2-0 win over Porto), they then looked leggy when they took on Bournemouth a few days later. Dyche referred to it as being a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show, following the joy and relief of beating the Portuguese outfit in his first match at the helm.
He is eager to avoid a repeat scenario this week, given Sunday brings a crucial Premier League fixture at home to Leeds United. Dyche said after the full-time whistle on Saturday: “We will have to look at changes and rotating.
“I try to win every game, everyone will know that. I’m not one for rotating all the time, but on this occasion I think we have got to be careful with where we’re going to make sure our players are fit and ready to deliver.”
The top end of the pitch is where the Reds are particularly short of options. Dyche is hopeful Chris Wood will return from a knee injury to face Leeds so it would be a surprise if he is risked in Austria.
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In the absence of Wood, Igor Jesus would normally have retained his spot up front but the Brazilian is suspended for Thursday’s match. Unless Dyche changes formation, it means Arnaud Kalimuendo is likely to be handed his first start for the club.
Wingers are also in short supply, with Dilane Bakwa sidelined and Callum Hudson-Odoi having sustained a knock against United. Dyche hoped the latter had simply suffered a dead leg, but it might be that he is rested regardless.
It could pave the way for James McAtee to come into the line-up. The summer signing’s versatility means he could step in out wide, with Morgan Gibbs-White staying in the No.10 role.
Whether Dyche sticks with two in midfield or opts to deploy a three, there is almost certain to be at least one change made in that department. Douglas Luiz was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury last weekend and seems likely to miss out.
It could be Elliot Anderson is also rested, following a busy period for the England international. Ryan Yates, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez are available for Dyche to call upon - albeit the latter has played only twice so far this season after recovering from injury.
Forest do have a few options to mix things up in defence, if they choose to. For example, Morato and Willy Boly could replace Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo at centre-back, but there is certainly a case to be made for sticking with the same back four.
Predicted Forest XI: Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Yates; McAtee, Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Kalimuendo.
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