Nottingham Forest are still awaiting the result of a scan on Max Lowe’s injury, but the defender is “gutted” at facing a spell on the sidelines.
Lowe was forced off half an hour into Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Reading with a groin problem and is likely to miss at least the next two games.
He has been a key player since signing on loan from Sheffield United in the summer, pinning down the left wing-back spot with some impressive performances since Steve Cooper took charge.
But the Reds must now wait to discover how long he could be out for as they prepare to take on Luton Town tomorrow.
“He’s gutted. He’s a bit down about it,” Cooper told NottinghamshireLive.
“He knows that the previous season, and maybe a bit before that, he wasn’t a regular player. Players want to play week in, week out, and be involved.
“He’s come here, hit the ground running and more or less played every minute, apart from the Sheffield United game. And he’s been in a really good place.
“For it to be stopped just like that is a bit of a blow for him. But he’s a really intelligent lad, a really mature lad, and he’ll have a good sense of perspective.
“For sure, when he comes back, he’ll be stronger for it.
“I don’t really want to guess how long he will be out for. You have to wait a certain amount of time before you scan the injury. It was scanned this morning, so we haven’t had the results back yet.
“Hopefully after the game tomorrow I will be able to give you more of a conclusive diagnosis of the length of time he could be out.”
Forest are also still without Loic Mbe Soh (thigh), Rodrigo Ely (muscle problem) and Jordi Osei-Tutu (hamstring) through injury, while Ryan Yates will be suspended against the Hatters.
Arsenal loanee Osei-Tutu was pictured in training with the Gunners last week as he steps up his recovery, having been out of action since August.
But Cooper says the Reds are still waiting for an update from his parent club over any indication of when he might be available again.
“We haven’t had anything from Arsenal. Maybe that’s his recovery-to-play stage,” said the Welshman.
“We’ll be due an update in the next week or so.
“There is good dialogue between the two clubs, but it is between the medical people at the moment because he is injured.
“Hopefully we get a positive update soon.”
