Oleksandr Zinchenko injury update after Nottingham Forest star left in tears
Sean Dyche needed just one game in charge of Nottingham Forest to understand the injury frustrations this season.
Ola Aina has been sidelined since September, being joined recently on the treatment table by Dilane Bakwa and Chris Wood as Evangelos Marinakis welcomed another manager to the City Ground.
Ange Postecoglou lasted 39 days in charge of Forest before being relieved of his duties, so it was of vital importance that Dyche got off to the best start in the Europa League against Porto.
While Morgan Gibbs-White managed to open the scoring from the penalty spot, the Reds were still handed a major blow as Oleksandr Zinchenko was replaced just shy of the half-time break.
Given Forest’s injuries at full-back already, fans were concerned by the sight.
Sean Dyche speaks on Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury
Dyche has spoken about Forest’s biggest blow during the game, and confirmed exactly how serious Zinchenko’s injury could be after being substituted in the first half.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash against Bournemouth, he said: “Zinchenko, after coming off, we’ll wait and see how that is as well, that one’s going to be touch and go, I think.
“There is a big squad, but there are a lot of injuries, so that’s not ideal.”
When one player returns from injury, it feels as though it is only a matter of time before someone else in the squad is sidelined.
How could Nottingham Forest line up against Bournemouth?
The likeliest of changes when facing Bournemouth on Sunday, 26 October, would be for Neco Williams to shift over to left-back, and Nicolo Savona to come into the side as the replacement.
However, it might not be that simple based on Savona’s lack of game time since arriving from Juventus, so Dyche could look to use an unconventional back-three formation.
Morato has certainly improved in recent weeks, having struggled to stamp his mark last season, but he is nowhere near Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic in terms of ability in defence.
Zinchenko’s latest setback could give Dyche a major headache before travelling to the Vitality Stadium at the weekend, but luckily for the Reds, his managerial career has been built on defending.