Nottingham Forest sweat on Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of Europa League semi-final

The England midfielder is a major doubt after suffering a deep cut to his forehead in Monday's 3-1 win over Chelsea, following a heavy collision with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez that left both players needing stitches. Gibbs-White was forced off during the second half and did not train on Wednesday, with the club set to decide on Thursday whether he can feature at Villa Park.

Forest head coach Vitor Pereira confirmed the decision will come down to medical advice and the player himself, rather than any managerial preference.

"We'll see tomorrow if he is able to play or not," Pereira said. "It is not a question for me, it's a decision between the player and the medical department. We will have a last meeting to decide. We have a plan with him and without him."

The 26-year-old has avoided concussion protocols, meaning his involvement hinges solely on whether the wound has healed sufficiently. He has already visited a specialist to be fitted for protective headgear, offering hope he could still feature despite the injury.

"With pain for sure," Pereira added. "We will see until tomorrow if he is able or not. I really don't know about Morgan - the doubts that you have are the same doubts that I have."

Forest travel to Birmingham holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg and are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions, putting them within touching distance of their first European final since 1980.

Pereira insisted his side are prepared to cope if Gibbs-White is ruled out.

"He is a very important player for us but we are ready to face this match," he said. "If Morgan cannot play, we start with 11⦠and this one, for sure, will try to be the best player on the pitch."

The Portuguese coach also revealed wider injury concerns within his squad, with several players struggling for fitness, forcing him to delay final selection decisions.

"To go into the battle, I prefer to go with the healthy soldiers," he said. "We have a lot of doubts⦠in my mind I have plan A, B and C."

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