Oliver Glasner has offered a positive injury boost for Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday's visit of Tottenham Hotspur.
Oliver Glasner has confirmed a major injury boost for Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Forest welcome a Spurs side who have lost both of their opening Premier League games, and are yet to score as much as a single goal.
After a 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United last time out, there has been little to cheer about from a Spurs perspective, something that Glasner will hope his side can take advantage of on home soil.
They will do so with a major boost, too, after Oliver Glasner confirmed on Thursday that midfielder Ibrahim Sangare will be available for the match.
The Ivorian international missed the 2-2- draw against Liverpool due to a minor calf issue, but could feature against Spurs.
“The good thing is everyone is fit, except Savona," Glasner confirmed. "But even now we have a small squad, with 20 on-field players fit, I still have to leave two players out tomorrow."
Squad selection headache
Despite trimming Forest's squad with sales and loans this summer, Premier League rules dictate that Glasner faces a selection headache.
With two goalkeepers in his squad to face Liverpool, the Premier League's nine-substitute limit means that two of the club's 20 fit outfield players cannot be named in the squad.
Glasner knew that this was the reality of the squad he inherited, but voiced his displeasure at the difficult decision that awaits him nonetheless.
“Everyone has had really tough and intense training sessions yesterday and on Tuesday," he revealed.
"Everyone gave their all, and then the nice manager has to come and say, ‘Well done for the entire week, but Saturday, you’re in the stand’.
“For me, it’s the worst decision I have to make as a football manager. It’s easy to make it if I see a lack of effort, because then I think the player doesn’t deserve to be in the match day squad.
“But if I see 100 per cent effort from everyone but still have to tell two players, ‘Sorry, but you can’t make the matchday squad’ I understand every disappointment.
"But on the other side, we are all in professional sport and get paid a few pounds so you have to deal with the situations. But this decision is still the one I hate making the most.”
Exits ease the issue
The summer sale of Taiwo Ayoniyi, as well as Morato and Dilane Bakwa's loan exits, eased the strain imposed by matchday squad limitations.
Earlier in his press conference, Glasner revealed that a lack of potential playing time was a key factor in their exits.
"We wanted to reduce the number of players, because we won't be playing European football this season," he reemphasised.
Now, Glasner must decide which two players will watch the game against Tottenham Hotspur from the stands.
Muñoz available
In another boost, Glasner confirmed that new signing Daniel Muñoz will be available, but urged caution over his fitness, following a disrupted pre-season and recent nose surgery.
"He's available," Glasner confirmed. "He arrived back late after the World Cup and had a short pre-season. He played in a mask at Everton because he had surgery on his nose, for his breathing.
"That’s why he’s not had many minutes in pre-season, and [only played] 55 minutes against Everton. He didn’t play against Manchester City because the negotiations were quite far along. That’s why I say he needs to get back to his top fitness level."
