EPL: Awoniyi may lead Nottingham’s attack against Brighton

After Taiwo Awoniyi changed Remo Freuler within the 84th minute in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 loss to Wolves on the weekend, Head coach Steve Cooper has admitted he’s considering making modifications to his Nottingham Forest beginning line-up in opposition to Brighton and Hove Albion with the Nigerian possible lead the assault.

On the again of Saturday’s defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and with a conflict in opposition to Liverpool to return on the weekend, the Welshman may choose to provide some gamers a breather when his workforce heads to the Amex Stadium right now. Nevertheless, he does have a couple of who’re doubts going into the match.

There are query marks over the health of defenders Serge Aurier (muscle) and Renan Lodi (ankle), in addition to midfielder Lewis O’Brien (sickness). It additionally stays to be seen if Orel Mangala is deemed match sufficient to begin, having lately recovered from a hamstring drawback.

The latter got here off the bench in opposition to Leicester Metropolis and Wolves, and Cooper has mentioned he’s “getting stronger” because of his coaching programme. If he’s seen as being able to characteristic within the XI, or if O’Brien has totally shaken off a bug, it could possibly be that the Reds boss tweaks his midfield – maybe with Cheikhou Kouyate the person to overlook out.

Cooper’s problem as he appears to finish an eight-match winless run is to search out the precise stability between persevering with to be defensively strong whereas additionally providing extra going ahead. Forest have tightened up on the again of their final two outings, after beforehand transport 18 objectives in 5 video games, however they’ve been in need of an attacking risk.

Jesse Lingard has been on the bench for the final two fixtures however could possibly be an possibility if the supervisor desires to combine issues up.

Awoniyi was additionally among the many substitutes in opposition to each Aston Villa and Wolves however may are available for Emmanuel Dennis in opposition to the Seagulls.

The potential line-up contains Henderson; Williams, Prepare dinner, McKenna, Toffolo; Yates, Freuler, Mangala; Johnson, Awoniyi and Gibbs-White.