Sean Dyche has confirmed that Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates is set for a spell on the sidelines injured ahead of the Reds’ UEFA Europa League game at FC Utrecht.
Dyche’s side have travelled to the Netherlands to take on FC Utrecht on Thursday, knowing that a win could take them into the top eight of the Europa League League Phase, depending on results elsewhere.
Forest have lost two of their last three games, scoring just one goal in that time, but Dyche has offered a positive injury update, which could offer a much-needed boost to the Reds’ squad at a crucial time.
The new boss has confirmed that while some of the Reds’ injured stars are returning to the squad, caution is of paramount importance during the busy period.
“As you can see from the squad, there are players coming back into the squad,” Dyche said.
“It’s not the perfect way back in, I don’t think, going straight back into competitive action in the Europa League and Premier League, but we’ve got a massive game schedule, so we’re going to have to use these players wisely.”
Yates came on at halftime in Forest’s 3-0 loss at Everton on Saturday, when they were trailing by two goals, but was substituted off with a hamstring injury just 16 minutes later, before the Toffees had scored their third.
The skipper was not in training on Wednesday, and Dyche has since confirmed that the 28-year-old is set for a lay-off with the hamstring issue.
“Ryan Yates has got a situation with his hamstring that’s not going to be quick,” he confirmed.
“We don’t think it’s too serious in the sense of needing anything done [surgery], but I think it’s going to be a slow one.”
John Victor has been favoured over Matz Sels in Forest’s two most recent Europa League outings, against Malmö and Sturm Graz.
Against Utrecht, Dyche will not face a similar selection dilemma, after he confirmed that Sels will not be risked as he is dealing with a tight groin.
“Matz [Sels] has got a tight groin, so we’re going to have to be careful with that one, so hopefully that’ll settle quickly,” he said.
“But it’s a precaution to try and give him the best chance for the weekend as well.”
Chris Wood has not featured for Forest since Ange Postecoglou’s final game as manager, a 3-0 home defeat against Chelsea, as he battles with a knee injury.
A week after an alarming update, where Dyche revealed that it was “very early” in Wood’s return, the manager has now announced that the New Zealand striker is back on the grass.
“Wood’s making progress, which is good,” Dyche said, “he’s on the grass, and he’s still had a couple of days on the grass.
“It’s a bit of a slow burner that one, it’s not going to be immediate, but he’s back out there and just starting the process, so that’s good news.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz and Dilane Bakwa are also close to returning from injury, and Dyche has revealed that the trio are in contention to feature in some capacity on Thursday night.
While Bakwa has featured for the club’s B team as part of his gradual return, Dyche has admitted that he is less likely to feature than the two loanees.
“They’re in the squad, and then we’ll make a decision on it [whether they play],” Dyche said.
“I think so [especially] with Zinchenko and Douglas because of their depth of knowledge of their bodies and their knowledge of playing, and their experience.
“Bakwa’s still coming back from an injured period. We’ve spoken to them about how they’re feeling, and they said they’re feeling good and up for the challenge that comes their way.”
Although no official update was issued on Murillo, who had been suffering with a tight hamstring, the Brazilian defender was seen in training on Wednesday and travelled with the Forest squad to the Netherlands, so he is expected to be in the squad on Thursday.
