Marco Silva sees silver lining as Fulham travel to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League | OneFootball

Hosts without key man Morgan Gibbs-White after sending off against Brighton

Fulham boss Marco Silva is pleased his team will not have to face Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White this weekend.

The England international's red card last weekend ruled him out of Saturday's Premier League clash at the City Ground.

Gibbs-White was shown a second yellow card in their 2-2 draw at Brighton on Sunday following a heavy challenge on Joao Pedro.

The attacking midfield player, who has scored once this season, has featured in all of Nuno Espirito Santo's league XIs this season, including a start during Forest's 1-0 victory at Liverpool earlier this month.

Fulham are searching for back-to-back wins after the 3-1 win over Newcastle last week at Craven Cottage and a victory would end Forest's unbeaten start to the new campaign.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Silva told reporters on Thursday: "It's not my problem, it's more for Nuno, as you know.

"But I have to be honest...Nuno prefers to play with Gibbs-White. And if you ask me, I prefer to play them without Gibbs-White, it's simple.

"They're a very good side. We'll see who they play in Gibbs-White's position, (Elliot) Anderson's very good, they have quality out wide with (Callum) Hudson-Odoi, (Anthony) Elanga and they have a striker with a good moment so they can punish any side."

Record signing Emile Smith Rowe signed for the west London club for a club-record £34million fee in the summer and the 24-year-old has settled to life under Silva, with his poked finish past Nick Pope helping Fulham to their second win of the season.

Silva, who lauded Smith Rowe on Thursday, added: "He's a top lad, for me I pushed the club to sign him.

Emile Smith Rowe has been in fine form for Fulham since a club-record move this summer

REUTERS

"We felt in April or May that there was a window for him to leave (Arsenal) and we started to be strong in getting our target, he was the player we wanted.

"It's fantastic for me when I heard of his desire to come, he wanted a new chapter and with the meetings we had I felt from the first moment the desire was there from him to be part of the process - and it's a good project.

"He's a talented player and is different to what we have had (in the) last few seasons. He can arrive in the box, score goals and has everything in that position. He's not played enough in the last two years because the competition there (Arsenal) is tough but there's a lot to come from him.

"He's shy in a good way, I want him to express himself on the pitch. I think he's in a much better position now, he's a complete midfielder, we will see good things from him."