Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic
Oliver Glasner gave an update on Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic(Image: Getty)
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The countdown to Nottingham Forest’s return to Premier League action is well and truly on now the international break is heading into its final stages.
By the time the Reds face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on October 11 it will have been more than three weeks since their last game. A 1-0 defeat at home to Coventry City was not the way they wanted to sign off for the extended hiatus.
Bouncing back will be the aim when head coach Oliver Glasner returns to his former stomping ground with Forest. The Austrian has had plenty to mull over in the intervening period, with positives and areas of improvement to reflect on.
The pause in the domestic schedule has also provided players with an opportunity for rest and recovery away from the demands of matches. Below is a look at the club’s injury state of play as things stand…
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Nikola Milenkovic
Injury: Hamstring.
Expected return date: October 11.
State of play: The Reds defender missed the games against Aston Villa and Coventry with a hamstring issue. He is now back in training and is expected to be available for next weekend. Glasner told the Post this week: “Yes, he should be available for Palace.”
Nicolo Savona
Injury: Knee.
Expected return date: Unknown.
State of play: The full-back has been sidelined since January, having undergone knee surgery. Glasner recently said Savona’s recovery was “on track” and it was possible he could be back on the grass with his teammates either during or just after the international break.
The Post observed a Forest training session on Thursday and the Italian was not involved. The club are keen to tread carefully with the defender, given the length of time he has been out of action.
Prior to the clash with Villa, Glasner had said: “We are now on the cautious side (with Savona) after he had a few setbacks or reactions in his knees. Now we are really progressing the rehab very slowly, because the worst thing for a player is if you feel you are getting closer and all of a sudden you have a setback. If that happens, you maybe start two or three levels below again.
“That's why we are now really progressing slowly, but so far everything is on track. We don't put pressure on him, it's increasing the intensity of his individual rehab sessions and then having a look at how the knee reacts. So far, it's all fine.”
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Nottingham Forest reporter Sarah Clapson
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