Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has said he has no new injury absentees and will be on the touchline when Fulham visit the City Ground on Saturday despite his dismissal during his side’s 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Forest have requested an extension until Wednesday to respond to a charge against Santo of acting in an improper manner and using abusive or insulting words towards a match official, or a combination of both.
“The charge has been made but I’m going to be available to be at the game,” said the 50-year-old. “We are still waiting for the final result.
“We have to wait. I got a red card, everyone saw the situation. Let’s see what develops. There’s always an answer and a response. We deserve an opportunity to answer [with] our view on the incident and we will do so as a club.”
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 26, 2024
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Nuno Espirito Santo suspension
Brighton counterpart Fabian Hurzeler was also sent off during a tempestuous end to the game at Amex Stadium following City midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White’s red card for a damaging challenge on Joao Pedro.
“It’s very difficult for managers to control their emotions sometimes,” reflected Santo. “It happens with a lot of managers. It’s an emotional game; it was an emotional situation and an emotional part of the game.
“Sometimes it’s hard. I had the chance to apologise for my behaviours. I think it was accepted. I will try hard not to repeat it, I will try to avoid [a repeat].”
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— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 26, 2024
Forest team news
Gibbs-White will sit out the visit of the Cottagers, while midfielders Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare remain out injured and centre-back Willy Boly is “really close” to returning to training.
Forest have made a five-game unbeaten start to their top-flight campaign but are yet to taste victory at home in any competition, securing both of their wins courtesy of beating Southampton and Liverpool 1-0 away.
Fulham have not lost since a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on the opening day, earning their most impressive result so far by beating Newcastle 3-1 at Craven Cottage last Saturday.
“We are delighted with the stats and we want to continue,” said Santo. “We have to work very hard to achieve it. It’s about ourselves and how we want to progress as a team.
“What is important is every player is putting the team in front of the individual. Everyone is going to be needed.”
