As We Were For Forest, Says Cooper

- Nottingham Forest face Leicester City in the Premier League this Friday
- It’s an 8pm BST kick-off under the lights at King Power Stadium
- Manager Steve Cooper provided a fitness update on Wednesday
- Jannik Vestergaard is set to remain on the sidelines due to injury

The Foxes welcome Nuno Espírito Santo's side to Filbert Way on Friday night for matchday nine of the Premier League campaign, following successes over AFC Bournemouth and then Southampton.

But Danish defender Vestergaard is set to miss out on facing City’s East Midlands rivals, due to a recurrence of the ankle injury which has plagued his early season.

After starting the opening two fixtures of 2024/25, the centre-back has not featured since, before turning out for Denmark over the international break.

“Jannik had a recurrence with his ankle on [matchday] minus one which ruled him out of selection for Southampton,” the Manager explained. “It was a bit of a pity because he got some good minutes with the national team last week and it was good to get him back involved.

“So that was a bit of a setback for him when he returned, but it shouldn’t rule him out for too long. Hopefully it’s a bit less (than a few weeks out). It’s something that he has had before.

“Being an experienced player, he knows his body well and he can manage it as these guys do as they go through their career. It’s a little bit inconclusive at the moment, but hopefully not too long.”

The 44-year-old also provided a fresh update on long-term absentee Patson Daka, who returned to the training field in recent weeks, though is not yet ready to be in contention for inclusion in the matchday squad.

“Apart from that, we are as we were,” the Welshman added. “In terms of the guys who have been out for a longer period, they are getting closer. Pato has been on the grass and is a bit more progressive with his rehab. He seems to be getting closer.”