Neco Williams picked up an ankle injury while playing for Wales on Friday, with the left back forced off the pitch after 24 minutes.
Head coach Craig Bellamy wasn’t sure of the severity of Williams’ injury, but the sight of the stretcher suggested that the Forest star was in serious discomfort.
Concern was high as Williams went down after attempting a cross rather than a hard challenge, dampening the spirit of the Welsh crowd who watched their side run out 3-0 winners over Liechtenstein.
Given his importance to Nuno Espírito Santo with his ability to play on both sides of the defence, the Forest manager will be paying keen attention to what Williams just posted on social media.
Photo by Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Ian Cook – CameraSport via Getty Images
Whether Neco Williams will be fit for pre-season at Nottingham Forest
Espírito Santo’s pre-season was praised by the Forest squad as one of the key drivers of their European finish, so having everyone fit and ready to go this summer will be crucial.
Luckily, then, Williams’ prognosis on his ankle injury suggests that he will have recovered in time to be put through his paces.
Williams posted on X: “So frustrating to pick up this injury at the end of the season but now it’s rest, recover and get back ready for pre-season.”
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Alongside the whole defence, Williams had an excellent season for Forest, but not just because of his performances as the 24/25 season was the busiest of the Welshman’s career.
Neco Williams made a career-high number of appearances last season
Williams never looked back once the Forest coaching staff decided to play him at left back, with his consistent availability making the 24-year-old one of the Reds’ players of the season.
Season Appearances
2019/20 11
2020/21 14
2021/22 23
2022/23 36
2023/24 32
2024/25 39
Neco Williams’ appearances per season
Since arriving at Forest from Liverpool, his gametime has naturally increased, but last season was the most appearances he’s ever made at club level, without even considering Williams’ Wales duties.
Therefore, it’s understandable that he’s picked up an injury in the final embers of the campaign, a sign of the relentless effort Williams put in to ensure Forest qualified for the UEFA Conference League.