Defender Tyler Blackett faces up to a month out of action as Nottingham Forest continue their search for a left-back.
The former Reading man has undergone an operation on a groin problem and is set to miss the start of the new campaign.
The Reds are desperately short on options in that position. Youngster Jayden Richardson has been heavily involved in pre-season, while Loic Mbe Soh started there in Forest’s fourth run-out at Crewe Alexandra.
It was a change in position for the latter, who is more accustomed to playing at centre-back. He was replaced in the second half of the 2-2 draw by Gaetan Bong - one of the four players who had been told they were free to move on this summer.
“Tyler has had surgery already. We’re hoping, because it’s minor surgery, he’ll be out for three or four weeks - that’s what we’re hoping for,” boss Chris Hughton said after the final whistle at Gresty Road.
“In effect, he’s had a hernia-type operation, which is minor.
“Hence we had Loic at left-back today, and Bongy coming off the bench.
“We are still trying as hard as we can to bring in, in several positions.
“But at the moment, it’s an opportunity for players to play games, stake a claim and show us their levels.
“It’s an opportunity for them, but we are still trying to bring players in.”
He added: “I would like to be able to tell you something is close, but, as normal, I wouldn’t say anything until any deals are done - and, at this moment, they haven’t been.”
The visitors took a two-goal lead against Crewe thanks to a brace from Brennan Johnson.
But they were pegged back by the hosts as Callum Ainley and Rio Adebisi found the net, ending the Reds’ three-match winning run.
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There was no Ethan Horvath in the matchday squad again, with Hughton previously having mentioned the new goalkeeper’s visa needed sorting out.
“That’s all sorted. He’s back now and was with us today. We didn’t play him, but he was with us,” said the manager.
“On the injury front, there’s only one additional injury to Tobias Figueiredo (calf) - Nuno Da Costa felt his groin in training and will probably be out for two to three weeks.”
