Nottingham Forest are looking to escape the relegation zone when they travel to St Mary’s to take on bottom-of-the-Premier League Southampton on Wednesday evening, with Steve Cooper’s side able to move as high as 14th should they take all three points from the Saints.
After a tricky start to the campaign, Forest picked up a valuable draw against Chelsea on New Years Day, and look to have a much more settled squad following their revolving door summer in which 22 players arrived.
Cooper appears to have found a set of players that he trusts, and has stumbled across a much more settled lineup, which is almost certain to help improve performance at the City Ground. But they face a true relegation six-pointer with Nathan Jones’ side, with a defeat able to send them bottom of the top flight and three points leaving them well clear of the relegation zone. For both sides, it is a must-win.
Predicted XI
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Jesse Lingard has been ruled out for a month after limping off against Manchester United, meaning that he will miss much of January and will be unavailable for this clash. “Jesse is out for a month. He has a hamstring injury, so it is as simple as that really”, Cooper explained ahead of the clash.
Morgan Gibbs-White, however, should be fit after passing a late fitness test to start against Chelsea on New Year’s Day.
Meanwhile, new signing Gustavo Scarpa will not be eligible, but is likely to make his debut in the FA Cup at the weekend when Cooper’s side take on Blackpool.
Cheikhou Kouyate was the only injury worry over the World Cup period, with the Senegal midfielder picking up a hamstring injury in his nation’s tournament opener.
He joins a growing injury list that includes a long term issue for Gianluca Biancome, a calf problem for Omar Richards, as well as an injury to Moussa Niakhate.
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