Nottingham Forest defender Loic Mbe Soh is facing even longer on the sidelines after suffering an injury setback.
It was hoped the former PSG youngster would be closer to a comeback after the current international break, having been out of action with a thigh problem since September.
But he is now undergoing scans to determine how long he could be absent for following a relapse with the same injury.
“He’s had a setback in the final stages of his return. It’s a real pity for him,” said Reds boss Steve Cooper.
“He showed an excellent attitude towards returning to play.
“Nobody has done anything wrong, it’s just an unfortunate situation. There’s been no mismanagement or nothing that Loic could have done any differently. Just unfortunately, he’s picked up a bit of a setback.
“We’re still finding out the real results of it, in terms of time of a return. It’s a little bit inconclusive at the moment, in terms of how long he’s going to be out for.
“I just feel for him, because he’s still a young boy. I’ve had the chance to work with him once, and that’s when he picked up an injury.
“But his time will come. If he keeps the attitude he’s shown so far, then he will be fine.”
Mbe Soh has featured twice so far this season, with both games coming while Chris Hughton was still in charge.
He first suffered the injury in training just before Cooper’s opening match as manager, back in September. At the time, he was expected to be sidelined for between four and five weeks.
“He’s currently going through some scans. It’s the same injury in the thigh area, it’s not a new injury,” Cooper explained, ahead of his side’s trip to face Reading this weekend.
“It probably just hasn’t recovered and healed as we would have liked as he’s gone through the return to play process which players do with the medical team.
“I can’t give you the medical ins and outs, I just know he’s had a bit of a setback with it.
“I just feel sorry for the kid. He’s worked really hard, and showed a really good attitude and commitment to wanting to return.
“He’ll have seen a really enthusiastic training group of his teammates who are working hard, and he probably wants to be part of it - like all footballers should be. Unfortunately, he’s just missing out at the moment.”
He added: “What we try to do with the players - and certainly the younger ones - is help them recognise there are setbacks in a career, there are setbacks in the journey to being in a good place, and injuries are often one of them.
“He’s experiencing it now.
“All I want him to do, and all he needs to do, is continue to be as he is, because he’s shown a good attitude.”
