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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

Nottingham Forest team news as Reds suffer another injury blow ahead of Norwich City clash

Nottingham Forest were dealt another injury blow as they prepared to face league leaders Norwich City at the City Ground.

Reds boss Chris Hughton made five changes to his starting XI from the side which drew 1-1 with Reading last time out.

And, most significantly, the hosts were without goalkeeper Brice Samba, who is understood to have picked up an injury.

It meant Jordan Smith came into the line-up, with summer signing Abdoulaye Diallo involved for the first time in a matchday squad as back-up stopper.

Forest were already without Joe Lolley due to a hamstring tear, with the winger having been forced off against the Royals. He was replaced in the team by Luke Freeman.

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Elsewhere, Tyler Blackett was handed a rare start at left-back, with Gaetan Bong left out of the squad.

Ryan Yates and Lewis Grabban also came into the XI, with Filip Krovinovic and Glenn Murray dropping to the bench.

They looked set to line up with a back four of Cyrus Christie, Tobias Figueiredo, Scott McKenna and Blackett, ahead of goalkeeper Smith.

James Garner and Yates seemed set to take up the holding midfield roles, with Cafu moving into a more advanced position as part of an attacking three alongside Freeman and Sammy Ameobi.

Grabban would be the lone striker up front.

Forest go into the game in 17th place in the table, nine points above the relegation spots, while their opponents sit seven points clear at the top and on an eight-match winning streak.

There was no Anthony Knockaert in the squad, with the Fulham winger also believed to have picked up an injury.

Alongside Diallo, Krovinovic and Murray, Yuri Ribeiro, Loic Mbe Soh, Jack Colback, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Mighten and Lyle Taylor were named as substitutes.

Forest: Smith, Christie, Figueiredo, McKenna, Blackett, Garner, Yates, Ameobi, Cafu, Freeman, Grabban. Subs: Diallo, Ribeiro, Mbe Soh, Colback, Jenkinson, Mighten, Murray, Krovinovic, Taylor.

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