Nottingham Forest have been dealt a major setback just hours before one of the most important fixtures of their season.
A key member of the first-team squad has suffered a fresh injury setback and will now miss Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Manchester City at the City Ground.
The news emerged during Friday’s media duties as the club prepared for the visit of one of the strongest sides in the division.
What had been hoped to be a timely return to action has instead turned into a longer-term absence that will stretch well beyond the weekend.
Manager Oliver Glasner confirmed the development with clear frustration in his voice. The player in question had been working hard to regain full fitness after missing recent matches,
but a recurrence of the same problem has forced the medical staff to take a more cautious approach.
“Unfortunately, he had a setback and a re-injury so he will be out for up to eight weeks now.
That’s really tough,” Glasner admitted. The timescale means the midfielder is unlikely to be available again before the new year, removing an important option from an already stretched squad.
The timing could hardly be worse. Forest head into the match against Manchester City sitting near the bottom of the Premier League table after a difficult start to the campaign.
They are still searching for their first home league goal and victory of the season at the City Ground, and the loss of a senior squad member further complicates preparations for a fixture that always brings huge expectation.
Glasner has spoken openly in recent days about the need for higher standards and greater intensity.
After last weekend’s defeat, he made it clear there would be no more compromises. Losing a reliable presence in the middle of the park at this stage only increases the pressure on those who remain available.
Who Is the Player and What Happened?
The player at the centre of the news is Argentine midfielder Nicolás Domínguez.
The 28-year-old had already missed Forest’s previous two matches with a hamstring issue.
He had returned to training as part of his recovery programme and was widely expected to be in contention for a place in the squad against Manchester City.
However, a re-occurrence of the same injury during the final stages of his rehabilitation has now ruled him out for a significant period.
Medical staff have indicated he could be absent for up to eight weeks, meaning he will miss a large chunk of the busy winter schedule that follows the international break.
Domínguez has been a valued member of the Forest midfield since his arrival at the club. His experience, positional discipline and ability to break up play have made him a useful option in a variety of systems. In a season defined by inconsistency and a lack of goals, the absence of such a player represents a clear loss of both quality and depth.
Impact on Forest’s Midfield Options
Glasner already faces difficult selection decisions in the middle of the pitch. With Domínguez now unavailable,
the manager will have to lean more heavily on the remaining options. Players such as James McAtee and Xaver Schlager are expected to carry additional responsibility, while others may be asked to step up from the fringes of the squad.
Forest’s midfield has been asked to cover a large amount of ground this season as the team tries to balance defensive solidity with the need to create chances.
Domínguez’s ability to screen the defence and recycle possession will be particularly missed against a Manchester City side that dominates the ball and constantly looks to overload central areas.
The Argentine’s absence also reduces Glasner’s flexibility. In recent weeks the manager has experimented with different combinations in an attempt to find a more effective balance.
Losing one of his more experienced midfielders limits those options at a time when results are urgently required.
Wider Squad Picture Ahead of the City Game
While the Domínguez news is the most significant development, there is some positive information from the treatment room. Striker Igor Jesus has completed a full week of training after a calf problem and is available for selection.
His return offers Glasner a potential boost in attack, where Forest have struggled to convert chances into goals.
Full-back Nicolo Savona continues his recovery from knee surgery. He has begun some training work and is making progress, but he is not expected to be ready for the Manchester City match.
Winger Dan Ndoye (minor illness) and wing-back Daniel Muñoz (foot) have both overcome recent niggles and are expected to be available.
Overall, Forest will still be able to name a competitive squad, but the loss of Domínguez removes one of the more experienced voices and reliable performers from the group. Against a Manchester City side that arrives with quality throughout its ranks, every available senior player carries extra importance.
The Context of a Difficult Season
Forest’s start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign has been challenging. After nine matches they remain near the foot of the table with only one win to their name. Performances have often been competitive, with the team regularly creating chances, yet a lack of clinical finishing and defensive lapses have cost them points.
Home form has been a particular concern. The City Ground has yet to see a Forest league goal or victory this season, placing additional pressure on Saturday’s fixture. Hosting Manchester City is always a difficult assignment, but the need for a positive result has rarely been more pressing.
Glasner himself has been under scrutiny. Appointed with high expectations after previous success, the Austrian has found the early months tougher than anticipated. His recent comments about standards and the need for change reflected a manager determined to shift the culture, yet results will ultimately decide how much time he is given.
The Domínguez injury adds another layer of difficulty. In a squad still adjusting to the demands of another Premier League season, every absence of a senior player is felt more sharply. Forest will need the remaining midfielders to step up and the wider group to show the intensity Glasner has been demanding.
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Challenge
Manchester City travel to Nottingham in mixed form. They have suffered consecutive Premier League defeats in recent weeks but responded with a positive Champions League result in midweek. Enzo Maresca’s side still possess enormous quality, particularly in attack, and will start as clear favourites.
For Forest, the task is clear. They must organise themselves defensively, limit the spaces City like to exploit, and look to take any opportunities that come their way. The return of Igor Jesus could provide a focal point in attack, while the midfield will need to work overtime to compensate for Domínguez’s absence.
Glasner is expected to stick with a familiar shape, most likely a variation of the 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 systems he has used this season. The exact personnel will be confirmed closer to kick-off, but the manager has already indicated he is prepared to make changes if necessary in order to find a winning formula.
Supporters will hope the setback does not define the weekend. The City Ground can still be an intimidating venue when the crowd is fully behind the team, and Forest have shown in previous seasons that they are capable of making life difficult for the bigger clubs. Whether they can produce that kind of performance without one of their key midfielders remains to be seen.
What It Means Going Forward
Beyond Saturday, the eight-week timescale for Domínguez’s recovery means Forest will have to plan without him for a significant portion of the winter schedule. The international break offers a short window for the medical team to begin the rehabilitation process properly, but the player will still miss a large number of matches upon the resumption of domestic action.
In the longer term, the injury underlines the importance of squad depth. Premier League seasons are rarely kind to teams that lack options in key areas. Glasner and the recruitment team will already be assessing whether additional midfield cover is required when the January transfer window opens.
For now, the focus remains on the immediate challenge. Nottingham Forest must find a way to cope without one of their more experienced midfielders against a Manchester City side that offers very little room for error. The news delivered on Friday afternoon is undoubtedly disappointing, yet it also presents an opportunity for others to step forward and show what they can contribute.