Early injury news for Leeds United’s quick return to Nottingham Forest for a midweek Carabao Cup tie.
Leeds United now face a quick return to Nottingham Forest for a Tuesday night Carabao Cup tie – for which four players are doubtful and one more out but with three others now back.
United’s second season back in the Premier League began with a trip to the City Ground to face Forest in a 3pm kick-off on Saturday afternoon in which Anton Stach’s brilliant 88th-minute free-kick sealed a 1-0 win for Daniel Farke’s Whites.
But a repeat trip to Nottingham awaits just four days later with Leeds drawn away at Forest in the second round of the Carabao Cup in an 8pm kick-off at the City Ground on Tuesday night.
Both Farke and Forest boss Oliver Glasner had key men out of Saturday’s league game and plenty of changes could now be in the offing for the cup clash rematch.
There are, though, four players doubtful and one more definitely out. Here, we run through the early injury news from both camps combined.
1. OUT: Nicola Savona
Forest’s Italian defender Savona missed the end of last season after undergoing surgery on his knee in March and Glasner revealed at Thursday’s press conference that the 23-year-old had suffered a minor setback in his recovery. Glasner said Savona was likely looking at another two weeks out. Glasner said: “We thought he would be further than where he is now. He had a minor setback after his knee reacted more with the load than we wanted. We had to take a step back, so he’s working in the gym again and working on his knee to get back on the grass. I think it will take a couple of weeks.” | Getty Images
2. DOUBT: Ryan Yates
Forest captain Yates sat out the club’s final pre-season friendly against Brest and Glasner revealed at Thursday’s pre-match press conference that the skipper would also miss the opening weekend visit of Leeds. It is thought that Yates only has a minor issue but whether he is back for the cup tie remains to be seen. | Getty Images
3. DOUBT: Omari Hutchinson
Forest winger Hutchinson missed much of pre-season with an injury but the 22-year-old was back on the bench for the final friendly at home to Brest and returned to action as a second half sub. Hutchinson, though, was missing from the matchday squad for Saturday’s league visit of the Whites. | Getty Images
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4. DOUBT: Willy Gnonto
Whites winger Gnonto had impressed in pre-season, particularly as a second-half substitute in the right wing back role against Manchester United in Dublin. Gnonto, though, suffered a hamstring injury against the Red Devils and was ruled out of Saturday’s first game of the new season although Farke did say he hoped to have him back in team training soon. | Getty Images
5. DOUBT: Gabi Gudmundsson
Whites left back Gudmundsson suffered a muscular injury in the win against Liverpool in America, boss Farke telling the press the following week that the Swede was probably looking at four weeks out and could be doubtful for both of United’s first two Premier League games. Farke confirmed at Thursday’s press conference that Gudmundsson was out of the Forest opener. Remains to be seen when he is back but probably more likely to be looking at the weekend’s visit of Brentford. | Getty Images
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6. BACK: Ilia Gruev
United’s Bulgarian international midfielder Gruev suffered a meniscus knee injury in April which ended his season but the 26-year-old was expected to return for pre-season training and named in the travelling party to America. Gruev was not named in any of the matchday squads this summer but Farke said on Thursday that everybody else bar Gnonto and Gudmundsson were available for the season opener at Forest. Gruev did not make the matchday squad but he’s clearly back in the mix and might well get minutes in the cup tie. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
