Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi hopes Yuri Ribeiro will be fit to face Chelsea, after losing fellow defender Chema to injury.
The latter was forced off after 27 minutes of the Reds’ New Year’s Day at the City Ground.
He had been struggling with a hip problem in the previous game, against Wigan Athletic, and departed down the tunnel after being replaced by Jack Robinson at left-back.
But while Chema seems likely to miss Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup, Ribeiro could return from a knee problem which has kept him out since November.
“The last game against Wigan, in the last 10 minutes he complained about a pain,” Lamouchi said of Chema.
“He started, but after half an hour it was much better to change it.
“We changed it and Robbo did the job.”
Asked how close Ribeiro is to returning, the Frenchman added: “He should be back for the next game.”
Seeing off Tony Mowbray’s men made it three wins on the spin for Forest, who are up to fourth in the Championship table.
Two goals in three minutes, from Joe Lolley and a Lewis Grabban penalty, put them in control in the first half, before Stewart Downing pulled one back minutes before half-time.
Grabban notched his second of the afternoon in the second half, to make it 3-1, only for a Joe Worrall own goal to set up something of a nervy finale.
“Nine points, three victories - we finished last year in the best way and we started the new year in the best way,” Lamouchi said.
“I can’t ask for more.
“We started the game in a good way. We played so well and created some chances, then we scored.
“The mistake after 2-0 was to think the game could be more easy and that we could score three, four or five goals.
“We gave them in the game.
“It was just a mistake.
“After that, we started to be a little bit panicked and the possession was not good.
“But during the break we adjusted two or three things and we started the second half in a good way.
“It was a fantastic goal from Grabban and the delivery from Sammy was lovely.
“With two goals up, we had the possibility to control the game.
“We need more possession. But the players fought until the end and they have worked hard with three games in one week.
“It has been very busy with a lot of games.
“Of course they are very tired, but they deserved this victory.
“For our fans, to start the new year with a victory is very positive.”
