Nottingham Forest Faces Injury Woes After Historic Europa League Triumph
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira provides mixed injury updates ahead of a crucial Premier League match against Burnley on Sunday. While he expects Chris Wood and Murillo to recover in time, Callum Hudson-Odoi faces an uncertain period on the sidelines following a muscle injury. The club celebrated a significant achievement by reaching their first European semi-final since 1984, thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White’s decisive goal that secured a 2-1 aggregate win over Porto in the Europa League quarter-finals. This victory sets up an all-English last-four tie against Aston Villa. Despite the joyous night, concerns loom over the team's precarious Premier League position, exacerbated by injuries to key players: Wood sustained a knee injury during a challenge that led to Jan Bednarek’s red card. Murillo is also dealing with a knock. Hudson-Odoi was seen leaving the stadium on crutches due to a thigh injury. Pereira remarked, “I’m not a doctor but I think Chris and Murillo will not be anything special. Of course, Chris has a bruise on his knee but I believe that him and Murillo will be ready for Burnley. Callum has a muscle injury and it is not possible, that’s the bad news.” The night also held emotional weight as the team rallied around Elliot Anderson, whose mother passed away before the match. Gibbs-White honored Anderson by holding a shirt that read, ‘Family first, we’re all with you.’ Pereira expressed pride in his players' unity, stating, “When we feel we are fighting for each other... I feel very proud of my team.” As Forest aims for European glory, Pereira emphasizes the importance of connecting with supporters and fostering team spirit. “It’s important to put smiles on the faces of the supporters... and to believe,” he concluded.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-04-16