Nottingham Forest face a major selection headache just hours before their crucial Premier League clash with Brentford.
The club’s attacking options have taken a worrying hit as a vital creative force remains a significant doubt for the trip to west London.
This latest fitness concern arrives at the worst possible moment for a side already battling near the bottom of the Premier League table.
Oliver Glasner’s men desperately need points to climb away from the relegation zone, and any absence of a key attacker could prove costly.
Fans are already expressing concern online as the team prepares for one of the most important fixtures of their season so far.
The player in question is Dan Ndoye. The Swiss international has emerged as a serious doubt after struggling with hamstring fatigue.
Glasner confirmed the issue during his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“He felt after the game, the entire week and also since returning from Switzerland some hamstring fatigue, so he’s a doubt,” the Forest head coach explained.
“Let’s see if he can train with the team and doing well without taking any risks. If not, he will miss the game but then he should be OK for Manchester City.”
Ndoye has been one of the standout performers for Nottingham Forest this season.
The versatile attacker has formed a strong partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White in the dual No.10 roles that Glasner prefers.
His ability to drift between the lines, create chances and finish opportunities has made him a central figure in Forest’s attacking plans.
Losing him, even for one match, would force Glasner into a difficult reshuffle against a dangerous Brentford side.
The timing could hardly be worse. Forest currently sit in 18th place in the Premier League table after a difficult start to the campaign.
They have managed only one win in their opening eight league games and sit firmly in the relegation battle.
A positive result at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday would provide a much-needed boost in confidence and points.
However, the potential absence of a key man threatens to undermine their hopes of claiming a valuable away victory.
Neco Williams is available after recovering from the arm injury he sustained against Ipswich Town last weekend.
The Welsh full-back trained throughout the week and is expected to feature against Brentford.
Nicolo Savona remains sidelined with a knee problem, while striker Igor Jesus continues to recover from a calf injury.
Midfielder Nicolas Dominguez is also a doubt after missing the draw at Portman Road with a muscle issue.
Glasner said Dominguez is progressing well but may find the Brentford game comes too soon. The Argentine is expected to be ready for the visit of Manchester City next weekend.
The injury list paints a challenging picture for Glasner as he tries to stabilise Forest’s season.
Tactically, Ndoye’s potential absence would force changes in the final third.
Glasner has relied heavily on fluid movement between his attacking midfielders and the central striker.
Without Ndoye, the burden falls even more heavily on Gibbs-White to create and score.
Liam Delap may also be asked to drop deeper or hold the ball up more effectively to compensate for the missing creativity.
Brentford, under Keith Andrews, will look to exploit any disruption in Forest’s attacking structure.
The Bees have been solid at home and possess dangerous wide players capable of stretching opposition defences.
Forest’s recent form has been mixed at best. The 1-1 draw at Ipswich ended a run of three consecutive defeats, but the performance still left supporters wanting more.
Underlying numbers suggest Forest have created decent chances this season, yet finishing has remained a persistent problem.
Many fans believe the side is closer to turning a corner than the league table suggests.
However, results ultimately decide survival, and Forest cannot afford to drop more points against sides around them.
The relegation battle is already taking shape, and every fixture carries heavy significance.
Glasner has repeatedly stressed that the performances are improving even if the points have not yet followed.
He remains positive about the direction of the team and the work being done on the training ground.
Still, the pressure continues to build with each passing week.
Supporters on social media have reacted with a mixture of frustration and concern to the latest injury update.
Many have pointed out that Forest cannot keep losing key players if they hope to climb the Premier League table.
Others have urged calm, noting that Ndoye should be available for the Manchester City game if he misses this weekend.
The City clash represents another major test, and having a near full-strength squad available would be a significant boost.
In the short term, though, attention remains fixed on Brentford.
A positive result in west London would ease some of the tension around the City Ground and give Glasner breathing space.
Failure to take points would intensify questions about the team’s ability to escape the bottom three.
Forest’s away record this season has actually been slightly better than their home form, offering a small glimmer of hope.
Six of their seven points so far have come on the road, suggesting they may be better equipped to frustrate opponents away from home.
Brentford will still start as favourites given their higher position in the Premier League table and stronger overall start to the season.
The hosts also have their own selection issues, with Yehor Yarmolyuk suspended and several players still working their way back from injury.
Nevertheless, Forest must focus on their own problems first.
The potential loss of Ndoye is the most significant of those issues heading into this fixture.
His energy, technical quality and goal threat have been among the few consistent positives in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Replacing that contribution will not be straightforward.
Younger or less experienced options may be asked to step up, or Glasner could adjust the system to a more conservative shape.
Either way, the tactical challenge is clear.
The head coach has earned credit for his honesty in recent weeks. He has refused to hide from the results while insisting that the underlying work is improving.
That message will be tested once again if Forest fail to take something from Brentford.
Fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds to adversity.
The Premier League season is still relatively young, but the margin for error is already shrinking for sides in the bottom half.
Every injury, every dropped point and every missed chance carries greater weight when a club sits in the relegation zone.
For Nottingham Forest, the next few days will be crucial.
First comes the immediate test of whether Ndoye can prove his fitness in time for Saturday.
Then comes the match itself, a fixture that could define the trajectory of their season over the coming weeks.
Should the Swiss attacker miss out, the remaining players will need to raise their levels significantly.
Gibbs-White will once again be expected to lead the creative charge.
Delap must find a way to convert more of the opportunities that come his way.
The midfield will need to control the tempo and limit Brentford’s transitions.
Defensively, Forest have shown moments of resilience, but consistency has been lacking.
A clean sheet at the Gtech Community Stadium would be a major achievement and could provide the platform for a positive result.
Glasner will demand intensity, organisation and clinical finishing if his side are to claim the points they so badly need.
The wider context of the Premier League table only adds to the pressure.
Several teams around Forest are also fighting for every point, meaning a defeat could see them slip even further adrift.
Conversely, a win or even a hard-fought draw would lift spirits and narrow the gap to safety.
Supporters understand the size of the challenge. Many have remained patient with Glasner, recognising the difficult circumstances and the quality of some performances.
That patience is not infinite, however. Results must improve if the current regime is to maintain full backing.
The injury to Ndoye represents another obstacle on an already difficult path.
How Forest respond to it will say a great deal about their character and their prospects of Premier League survival this season.
All eyes will now turn to Friday’s final training session and the official team news closer to kick-off.
Until then, uncertainty hangs over one of the club’s most important attacking players.
For a team in the midst of a relegation battle, that uncertainty is the last thing they needed.
The coming days will reveal whether Nottingham Forest can overcome this latest setback and take a vital step towards safety.