Nottingham Forest are hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit in time for their crucial Europa League semi-final second leg, despite the midfielder suffering a serious facial injury.
Gibbs-White required stitches after a heavy collision with Robert Sanchez during Forest’s 3-1 Premier League win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Both players were forced off the pitch with head wounds following the incident.
Forest head coach Vitor Pereira admitted the situation is uncertain, suggesting the player may need “a miracle” to recover in time. However, he remains optimistic about Gibbs-White’s chances of featuring in Thursday’s decisive clash against Aston Villa.
The midfielder later shared an image on social media showing stitches across his forehead and nose, highlighting the extent of the injury. Despite the severity, there is relief within the Forest camp as the substitution was not related to concussion.
Injury Blow But Hope Remains
Because the injury was not classified as a concussion, Gibbs-White is not required to follow the Premier League’s strict return-to-play protocols. This means his availability will depend purely on how quickly the wound heals.
Forest carry a 1-0 advantage into the second leg at Villa Park and are unbeaten in their last 10 matches across all competitions, boosting confidence ahead of the tie.
Meanwhile, Chelsea also dealt with a separate injury scare when youngster Jesse Derry was taken to hospital after a head clash on his debut. The club later confirmed he was conscious and undergoing precautionary checks.
For Forest, the focus now remains firmly on Gibbs-White’s recovery. His presence could prove vital as they aim to secure a place in the Europa League final.
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