Morgan Gibbs-White there remains a doubt about Nottingham Forest in front of them Premier League collision with Newcastle United this weekend.
The English representative was left with a terrible cut on his face after a nasty clash of heads with Robert Sanchez during Forest’s win over Chelsea on monday.
The 26-year-old required stitches across his forehead and up the tip of his nose but was included on the Forest bench on Thursday night. Europa League semi-final matchup with Aston Villa.
Vitor Pereira’s side led 1-0 after last week’s first leg at the City Ground but conceded four without reply last night as their European dream ended.
Gibbs-White, wearing a protective face mask, did not come off the bench with Pereira later revealing there was never any real chance he would call his midfielder.
“No, (not) not even for the penalty,” said Pereira. “I asked them to be with us to give us energy, but they are not fit to play. Gibbs-White, not fit. (Ibrahim) Sangare is not fit. Dan Ndoye is not fit.
“Murillo was not fit, but then, Jair (Cunha) had problems and we take a little risk, but he is not fit. There are many players all out.”
Forest will be safe from relegation if they beat Newcastle on Sunday and West Ham cannot beat league leaders Arsenal later in the day.
When asked if Gibbs-White will be available for the visit of Eddie Howe’s side, Pereira said: “I don’t know.
‘Aina, out. Dan Ndoye, out. Sangare, outside. Callum, out. Murillo, out. Morgan, out. It’s a lot. I don’t know if some or one of them can recover for the next game. I don’t know.
Asked if those players would return before the season is over, the Forest boss added: “I can’t answer because I don’t know.
“I don’t know about Morgan. I don’t know about Ola. Callum is done (for) the season. I don’t know about Murillo. Dan, I think Dan can come back.
“But in the end, I need tomorrow. This is the day to understand the situation.’
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