Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton has not ruled Ryan Yates out of making a return to face Luton Town on Tuesday but could offer no guarantees that he would be fit to face the Hatters.
The midfielder missed last night’s 1-1 draw at Derby County where Colin Kazim-Richards’ late goal snatched a point for the Rams after James Garner had struck the opener 12 minutes before half-time.
Yates has suffered a minor reoccurrence of a calf injury that ruled him out for several weeks, but Hughton was quick to stress after last night’s game that it was not serious.
The academy graduate could even be involved in next Tuesday’s clash against Luton Town at the City Ground providing he proves his fitness in training on Sunday.
Asked about Yates, after the draw at Pride Park, Reds boss Hughton said: “It was touch and go.
“It was the same problem that kept him out for the last few weeks.
“The good news is that that it’s very, very minor. And we’re hoping that he will be training come Sunday so that hopefully puts him in contention.
"I can’t guarantee that but hopefully, it puts him in contention for Tuesday, if not certainly Saturday.”
Striker Lewis Grabban also missed the short trip to the Rams with the former Bournemouth striker still suffering from a slight hamstring problem.
The forward missed Tuesday night’s win over Rotherham and there are doubts surrounding his availability for the clash against Nathan Jones’ side next week.
Hughton said: “He is still not training with us yet, I must admit.
“Would I see him being available Tuesday? Probably not at this stage. But again for the type of injury that it is, it was certainly one that could have been worse. And it ended up being very minor.”
There was a plus for Hughton, however, as Sammy Ameobi returned to the bench at Derby after picking up a knee injury against Coventry at the start of the month.
He was an unused substitute as the Reds came close to securing bragging rights over the Rams who have not beaten Forest since 2017.
The point took Forest 11 points clear of the relegation zone prior to Saturday's games although Hughton felt his side should have been out of sight before Kazim-Richards struck in the 84th minute.
