Joe Lolley’s season was brought to a slightly premature end by a shin problem - and Nottingham Forest have their fingers crossed that the issue will not return when the new campaign kicks-off in August.
Nottingham Forest’s player of the season was substituted after 67 minutes in the win over Bolton, having netted the vital goal that won them the game.
Martin O’Neill revealed that the decision to bring him off was not a tactical one, but instead one motivated by the fact that the winger was in pain.
Lolley was suffering with shin splints - an issue that has thankfully not generally troubled him through a campaign in which he has remained injury free and able to feature in every Championship game, including 42 starts.
But Lolley, who notched up 12 goals and 11 assists for the Reds during an impressive individual campaign, did previously suffer with shin splints during his time at Huddersfield, when it did periodically keep him on the sidelines.
The failure to beat teams like Bolton was Nottingham Forest's problem this season
And Forest are keeping their fingers crossed that next season will again see one of their key figures remain injury free once more, without the problem resurfacing to any significant degree.
“He has a little shin problem. He has shin splints, which have affected him, during his career,” said O’Neill. “He has to live with it. Sometimes they stay for a period of time, sometimes they go away.
“He did look to be in pain and it is something that he had to deal with at Huddersfield, for a little while.
“There was a spell there, where he was in constant pain. And people talked about him not being able to last through games. But it was a lot to do with that issue.”
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Reds boss O’Neill says Lolley was the best performer in his squad - and has been delighted with his contribution, during his 19 games in charge so far.
“He won the player of the season award and, in my time here, he has deserved that,” said O’Neill.
“He has definitely deserved it. Lolley, sometimes, overruns things because he wants to do too much for the team.
“But overall, he has been terrific in my time here and I am quite sure he was in the previous 27 games as well.
“He has done great and I am delighted for him.”
