Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has expressed concerns over Douglas Luiz's injury, which he believes won't be resolved quickly. Luiz was injured during Forest's 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the
Premier League. Dyche mentioned that the 27-year-old midfielder requires further assessment, and he did not sound optimistic about a swift recovery.
As Nottingham Forest gears up for their Europa League match against Sturm Graz, Dyche confirmed that Callum Hudson-Odoi will miss Thursday's game at Merkur Arena. However, he provided a hopeful update on Hudson-Odoi's condition, suggesting a quicker recovery might be possible. "Callum is hopefully going to be slightly easier. He won't be ready for this game, but we will see how it goes for the weekend," Dyche stated.
The international break presents an opportunity for several players to regain fitness. Chris Wood is reportedly progressing well in his recovery. With Igor Jesus suspended and Omari Hutchinson, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Jair Cunha not part of the Europa League squad, Dyche plans to adjust his lineup accordingly.
Dyche emphasized the need for strategic changes and rotation in the team to ensure player readiness and fitness. "We will have to look at changes and rotating," he said. While he prefers not to rotate frequently, he acknowledged the necessity of doing so under current circumstances to maintain player performance levels.
Forest currently stands 17th in their league phase with four points from three matches. Dyche remains committed to winning every game while managing player health effectively. The upcoming international break is crucial for players' recovery and preparation for future matches.
The gaffer looks ahead to tomorrow night's Europa League clash against Sturm Graz.
Nottingham Forest (@NFFC)
Dyche's approach reflects a balance between immediate performance goals and long-term player health management. As Nottingham Forest navigates through injuries and suspensions, strategic squad adjustments are vital for sustaining competitive performance in both domestic and European competitions.
