Nottingham Forest have suffered a setback ahead of their Europa League semi-final first leg against Aston Villa, with defender Murillo ruled out as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.
Forest manager Vítor Pereira confirmed that the Brazilian centre-back will not be available for the clash at the City Ground. Murillo picked up the issue earlier this month and has not yet returned to full fitness, leaving him unavailable at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Pereira explained that while the player is making progress, he is still not ready to feature. He added that a return is not expected to be far away, but no exact timeline has been set as the medical staff continue to monitor his recovery.
The situation creates a selection headache for Forest, with Jair Cunha seen as a potential replacement in central defence. However, Cunha is also a fitness concern after being forced off in the recent win over Sunderland. Despite that, he has taken part in training, giving Forest some hope he could still be involved.
Pereira praised the club’s medical department for their efforts during a busy period, highlighting the challenge of managing injuries at this stage of the season when fixtures are coming thick and fast.
Forest are currently juggling both European and domestic commitments, with squad rotation and player fitness becoming increasingly important as the season nears its conclusion.
Even with these issues, Pereira remained confident in his squad’s ability to compete, stressing that preparations continue with the expectation of naming a strong starting XI for the semi-final. He also expressed hope that his side will be able to maintain stability throughout the match as they aim for a positive result in the first leg.
With the semi-final approaching, attention will remain on Forest’s defensive options, with late fitness checks likely to determine how they line up against Aston Villa.
