With the influx of summer signings, Ange Postecoglou has a host of capable replacements ready at his disposal should there be injuries or suspensions.
Speaking to the media, he confirmed that defenders Murillo and Oleksandr Zinchenko would be available for the contest against Chelsea at the City Ground.
Postecoglou also added that Chris Wood “was the only one with a little bit of a niggle with his knee, but I think he should be fine.”
This follows the recent international break when Postecoglou was afforded some rare training time for those who were not called up for duties with their countries.
“With the guys who are still here, we did a couple of training weeks, which we haven’t had the luxury of having since I took over.”
Adding to the list of those Postecoglou said are returning from minor injury setbacks is Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, who is yet to feature for a full 90 minutes in a match in a Forest shirt.
The 27-year-old seemed a shrewd signing to raise the bar higher in the midfield department and could offer much of the traits Postecoglou can utilise in his system.
After cementing a midfield spot for the England senior team over the last two camps, Elliot Anderson is sure to start against Chelsea and could begin to compliment Douglas Luiz and forge a strong partnership.
Postecoglou heaped praise on Anderson, who has quickly become a talisman for Forest, and reinforced how the recent international call-ups will benefit Anderson.
He alluded to his emerging role as a pivotal leader in the Forest ranks and his willingness to continue improving, despite his relentless playing time.
“I think he’s really grown and I think the England experience, certainly in both camps, have gone really well for him. I think it’s always why I kind of encourage international football, because you do get more belief.
“I think the exciting thing with Elliot is it’s very very much the beginning of it. I’ve only worked with him a short time, but you just see him as a person. He’s definitely not going to be one of these young players where it all becomes too much for him or he kind of gets complacent.
“Even though he’s relatively young I can see him emerging as a leader in this group, especially at this club now, because he is one that is not affected by anything around him, he just wants to succeed.
“He’s played just about every minute of football, whether it’s for us or for England, so he’s not even asking for a rest or feeling like he’s fatigued.”
