Steve Cooper delivers update on condition of key Nottingham Forest player following Millwall draw | OneFootball

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Football League World

·26 September 2021

Steve Cooper delivers update on condition of key Nottingham Forest player following Millwall draw

Article image:Steve Cooper delivers update on condition of key Nottingham Forest player following Millwall draw

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper revealed that he does not yet know the extent of the thigh issue that forced Lewis Grabban off the field in their 1-1 draw with Millwall.

Cooper was unable to record a victory in his first game in charge at the City Ground, but the Reds were able to show fighting spirit to come from behind and avoid defeat at least.


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The former Swansea City manager would have learned a lot about his squad following his first match as Nottingham Forest boss.

Grabban would have been aiming to impress as he looks to keep his place in the side ahead of Lyle Taylor in the 3-4-2-1 formation.

However, the experienced forward was forced to come off the field after just 27 minutes against Millwall through a thigh injury.

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That would have been a major blow for the striker who would have been aiming to try and get on the score sheet to impress his new manager.

Quiz: Have Nottingham Forest ever been involved in these 18 scenarios?

1 of 18

Won the European Cup back-to-back

Yes

No

Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Cooper revealed that Grabban had been forced off the field with a thigh issue and that he was not yet aware how much of a long-term or short-term problem it would be for him. Although he did stress that the forward will be a key part of his plans.

He said: “We don’t know yet. He’s come off with a thigh injury, I think, I’m yet to see the medics just yet.

“Lewis is a really important player for us. I know enough about him from playing against him for a couple of seasons and even before that.

“We have to get the best out of him and we have to get lots of players up the pitch and be creating good chances because if we do I think he’s as good as anyone in the league to get onto the end of them. He nearly did that early on.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad but we’ll see going forward.”

The verdict

It would have been very frustrating for Grabban to pick up an injury less than half an hour into his first start under Forest’s new manager.

However, there is not much the forward can do about that now and he now needs to recover in the best way possible.

Grabban must have gained some confidence over his long-term standing in the squad under Cooper though following the new Nottingham Forest manager’s comments here.

Having the belief from a new manager straight away is vital for any player, but Grabban is someone that does need to feel he has the full backing of whoever is in charge you feel to get the very best out of him infront of goal.

Hopefully for Grabban, the thigh injury will not keep him out of action for a long period and when he comes back he will be aiming to win his place back in the starting line-up.

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