The international break is finally winding down, and the countdown to Premier League football returning is in full swing for Nottingham Forest. By the time Oliver Glasner’s side steps onto the pitch at Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on October 11th, more than three weeks will have passed since their last competitive outing.
That frustrating hiatus followed a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Coventry City—a result that left the squad eager to bounce back. Fortunately, the extended pause in the domestic calendar has provided the medical staff with vital time to work on player recovery. As the Reds gear up for a demanding stretch of fixtures, a closer look at the club’s injury state of play reveals some very encouraging news.
Nikola Milenkovic Expected to Be Available
The most pressing positive update concerns defensive stalwart Nikola Milenkovic. The towering defender was sorely missed during recent fixtures against Aston Villa and Coventry City due to a persistent hamstring issue.
However, supporters can breathe a sigh of relief. Milenkovic has successfully returned to training at the Nigel Doughty Academy and is fully expected to be available for selection next weekend when Forest makes the trip to south London.
Manager Oliver Glasner confirmed the promising development to the press this week, stating firmly: “Yes, he should be available for Palace.” His return will provide an immediate injection of physical presence, leadership, and stability to Forest’s backline as they look to shut down Crystal Palace’s dynamic attack.
Managing Nicolo Savona’s Long-Term Recovery
While Milenkovic is ready to step straight back into the fray, the club is adopting a much more cautious, measured approach regarding full-back Nicolo Savona.
Savona has been completely sidelined since January after undergoing major knee surgery. Although Glasner recently noted that the Italian defender’s rehabilitation program remains “on track,” observant reporters at recent training sessions noticed he was not yet participating in full team drills.
Given the lengthy duration of his absence, the coaching and medical staff are determined to avoid any setbacks. Past reactions in the knee have taught the club the hard way that rushing a player back can trigger a painful regression.
“We are now on the cautious side after he had a few setbacks or reactions in his knees,” Glasner explained prior to the Villa fixture. “Now we are really progressing the rehab very slowly… We don’t put pressure on him; it’s increasing the intensity of his individual sessions and seeing how the knee reacts. So far, it’s all fine.”
Looking Ahead to Selhurst Park
For Oliver Glasner, the international break has served as a valuable crucible. The Austrian manager has used the downtime to evaluate what has worked during the opening weeks of the campaign and pinpoint critical areas for improvement.
With a few tactical adjustments in mind and key personnel returning to fitness, Forest will be desperate to wipe away the memory of the Coventry slip-up and recapture their early-season momentum. Securing a positive result away against Crystal Palace would be the perfect way to kickstart this next block of Premier League fixtures.
As training intensity ramps up over the coming days, the focus in the East Midlands shifts entirely toward matchday preparation. With Milenkovic back in contention and the squad working hard behind closed doors, the Reds are ready to hit the ground running.
Do you think Nikola Milenkovic’s return to the starting XI will be enough to secure all three points against Crystal Palace, or should Oliver Glasner ease him back through the substitutes’ bench?
