Nottingham Forest take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in crucial Premier League clash at the City Ground this week
15:02, 09 Feb 2026
Nottingham Forest's Murillo
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Nottingham Forest's Murillo (Image: Getty)
Nottingham Forest will make a late call on the fitness of Murillo for this week’s crunch clash at the City Ground.
The Reds host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night (7.30pm kick-off) in a pivotal fixture in their battle for survival. As it stands, Sean Dyche’s side are three points above the relegation zone - but that gap could have been closed by the time kick-off comes around.
Forest missed the chance to pull clear of trouble when they fell 3-1 away to Leeds United on Friday night. They were without centre-back Murillo at Elland Road due to a calf problem, forcing Dyche into a last-minute defensive reshuffle, but the Brazilian could return midweek.
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“It’s settling,” Dyche said of Murillo. “We will probably know more tomorrow to make a final decision. It is probably a touch and go one at this stage, but it is settling and he was happy with that this morning.
“He has done very well, both before and during my time here. We had a minimum window to change things around, but that’s sometimes the way it happens.”
The visitors were also without full-back Neco Williams last week. The Welshman served a one-match suspension for his red card in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
To cater for the key absentees, centre-back Zach Abbott was deployed at right-back and Ola Aina switched from right-back to the left. Morato played alongside Nikola Milenkovic in the heart of the back line.
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Dyche will hope to have the crux of his usual defensive line-up in place against Wolves. He is likely to still be without goalkeeper Matz Sels on Wednesday, though. The Belgian sustained a groin issue against the Eagles and was replaced between the posts by new signing Stefan Ortega at Elland Road.
“Neco comes back into the thinking from suspension,” Dyche said. “Sels’ is settling down but it is not going to be days. We’re not sure on the extent of how long, but it is certainly not going to be days.
“We are just hopeful it settles sooner rather than later. He is feeling pretty good at the moment.”
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West Ham United, currently in 18th spot, would move level on points with Forest if they win on Tuesday night. The Hammers are at home to Manchester United.
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