Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers injury news as 5 ruled out and 6 doubts

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest have both received mixed news on the injury front ahead of what will be a crucial clash in the Premier League relegation battle on Saturday afternoon.

The Midlands rivals are both sat in the lower reaches of the table ahead of their meeting at the City Ground, with Forest sitting one point and three places below Julen Lopetegui’s 13th placed side. However, the logjam that exists at the bottom end of the Premier League means both sides lie just one bad result away from dropping into the relegation zone as the season approaches a thrilling and nerve-shredding climax.

Both Lopetegui and Forest boss Steve Cooper will be missing several big players for the game and will hand late fitness tests to a number that are making their way back from injuries. BirminghamWorld takes a look at the latest injury news ahead of Saturday’s game.

Wood blow for Forest

On-loan Newcastle United striker Chris Wood will miss Saturday’s game and the remainder of the season after suffering a thigh injury during the recent international break. The New Zealand star has scored one goal in seven games for Cooper’s side since moving to the City Ground in January and he has already triggered a permanent switch to Forest.

However, his involvement in their battle against the drop is now over and he will put his focus on preparing for next season, no matter what division his side are in when they return to pre-season training. Another loan star, goalkeeper Dean Henderson, will also miss out after picking up a thigh injury in January. A recent report has suggested the Manchester United stopper will return over the coming weeks, but Keylor Navas will retain his place between the sticks on Saturday.

Cooper reveals injury concerns over three players as trio return

Steve Cooper has revealed he has doubts over the fitness of three key players who have suffered injuries during the international break.

Speaking earlier this week he said: “Serge Aurier, André Ayew and Gustavo Scarpa have picked up some injuries over the break as well. We’re not sure how long they will be out for or what their availability will be for the next few games.”

Brennan Johnson, Wily Boly and Emmanuel Dennis are also being monitored ahead of the game. It wasn’t all bad news for Cooper as Taiwo Awoniyi, Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate are all ready to return to contention this weekend.

Two strikers miss out for Wolves

Julen Lopetegui gave a mixed update on his squad ahead of the game after he confirmed Hee Chang Hwang will miss out as his recovery from the injury suffered in the recent defeat against Newcastle United continues. Long-term injury victims Sasa Kalajdzic and Chiquinho remain on the sidelines but Nelson Semedo, Bouba Traore and Hugo Bueno are all likely to feature after training throughout this week.

The Spaniard delivered an overall assessment of his squad ahead of the game, saying: “Bouba (Traore) is working normally. He’s ready to be in our choices, he’s worked well and is one player more for us. Hugo (Bueno) is better, he has worked the last week well, but Hee Chan (Hwang) is out. He hasn’t arrived for this match, he’s better, but he’s not ready for this match. Nelson (Semedo) has worked normally, he had problems at the start of the week, but now he’s ready.”

Jonny definitely misses out as he starts a three-match ban following the red card he received in the 4-2 defeat at Leeds United.