Nottingham Forest will be without Max Lowe when they face Sheffield United on Tuesday evening - but head coach Steve Cooper has given few clues away about who will replace him.
The Blades loanee has been a key figure in the left wing-back role since the change of manager and a switch to a 3-4-3 formation.
He is ineligible to play against his parent club at the City Ground, however, leaving the Reds boss with a decision to make.
With Jordi Osei-Tutu still sidelined, Gaetan Bong is the only orthodox left-back available.
The latter has not featured since August, although Cooper has been impressed with his attitude in training - and has also hinted at a possible change in shape.
Injury update
Nottingham Forest centre-back Rodrigo Ely has suffered another injury setback, ruling him out of playing for the Under-23s this evening (Monday).
The summer signing has yet to make his Reds debut, being dogged by a series of problems since his move to the City Ground on a free transfer.
After recovering from a long-term issue, he then had a quad injury, followed by an ankle knock.
It was hoped he would take a significant step in his recovery by featuring for Andy Reid’s side against West Bromwich Albion at Notts County’s Meadow Lane on Monday.
Transfer admission
Brennan Johnson has quickly become one of Nottingham Forest’s “most important” players, with one former Red admitting he was surprised to see the youngster loaned out last season.
Ben Osborn got to see Johnson’s potential first-hand while he was still at the City Ground, before making the switch to Sheffield United in the summer of 2019.
And the Forest youngster is now making a big impression in Steve Cooper’s side, after spending the 2020/21 campaign at Lincoln City.
The Blades will be the latest team trying to keep tabs on him when they make the trip to face the Reds in tonight’s clash.
Figueiredo praise
Tobias Figueiredo has been singled out for praise by fellow Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall.
Criticism aimed at the Portuguese centre-back hasn’t always been justified, according to Worrall, who jokes he wouldn’t like to play against his teammate “because he is quite scary”.
After previously being in and out of the team at times, Figueiredo has been a mainstay under Steve Cooper amid a switch to a three-man defence.
The 27-year-old has occasionally been substituted during games when the Reds are behind, as the head coach switches to a back four and introduces an attacker - as was the case in Friday night’s 1-1 draw at QPR.
