Nottingham Forest take on Fenerbahce in Turkey this week in the first leg of their Europa League play-off
13:26, 18 Feb 2026
New Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira
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New Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira(Image: PA)
Nottingham Forest have added winter window signing Stefan Ortega to their Europa League squad.
The former Manchester City goalkeeper had been left off the Reds’ revised list when it was named at the start of this month. However, he has now replaced the injured Matz Sels in the squad.
It means Ortega will be available to face Fenerbahce in Forest’s two-legged play-off as they bid to reach the last 16 of the competition. Vitor Pereira’s squad take on the Turkish heavyweights in Istanbul on Thursday night (5.45pm kick-off), with the return fixture at the City Ground next Thursday.
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Sels has been absent since sustaining a groin injury in the first half of the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace little more than a fortnight ago. Angus Gunn replaced the Belgian at half-time against the Eagles, but Ortega has occupied the position between the posts since.
Prior to being sacked as head coach, Sean Dyche had indicated Sels was facing a spell on the sidelines. Before the 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, he had said: “Sels’ (injury) 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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Dyche was subsequently given the boot after that stalemate with Wolves. Pereira was appointed as his replacement on Sunday, becoming the club’s fourth manager of the season.
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Ensuring the Reds retain their Premier League status is the priority for the Portuguese. However, he will also have his eye on securing progress in Europe.
The game against Fenerbahce marks a return to his former stomping ground for Pereira in his first match at the helm. He has previously had two spells in charge of the Turkish outfit
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