Nottingham Forest have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of Saturday’s trip to face league leaders Swansea City.
Defender Carl Jenkinson is facing a “few weeks” on the sidelines due to an ankle problem, while striker Rafa Mir will be out of action for a much shorter period of time with a leg injury.
The latter is likely to miss the weekend’s clash at the Liberty Stadium, though head coach Sabri Lamouchi hopes he could return in time for the home game against Barnsley the following Saturday.
Summer signing Jenkinson had recently started to establish himself as first-choice right-back, with four appearances to his name since making the move from Arsenal.
“He will be out for a few weeks, unfortunately. He is out for the moment,” Lamouchi said of the 27-year-old.
“It is unfortunate for him and unfortunate for us.
“He had been playing and had been playing well. He gave me more options.
“Now we just need to manage the group and be patient with him.”
With Tendayi Darikwa recovering from a ruptured ACL which is likely to keep him out for the majority of the season, it means Matty Cash will almost certainly take up that role against the Swans.
The Nigel Doughty Academy product, whose natural position is further up the pitch, had started the campaign at right-back - and Lamouchi is confident he can comfortably step in again.
“He is a good option to have. He played that position before Jenkinson signed with us,” said the Frenchman.
“The first game he started there and played well, against West Brom, and he scored.
“I know it’s not his original position but he has a lot of quality. He just needs to focus more defensively and trust more in his quality because he is a good young player.
“He is very positive and has improved in that position.
“He knows in this position he can help the team.”
Mir, meanwhile, is not expected to be sidelined for too long. But it does leave Lamouchi short of back-up for Lewis Grabban in the meantime.
“I hope he will be back with us next week, or the next two weeks maximum,” said the manager.
“He needs some rest.”
