'He is out' - Another major injury blow for Nottingham Forest ahead of Brighton

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed an injury blow and admits the visit of Brighton is a “big challenge” for his team following their heavy defeat to Bournemouth.

The Reds’ superb run of eight wins and a draw in nine league and cup matches came to an abrupt end last Saturday as they were thrashed 5-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

Forest still sit third in the Premier League but last weekend’s rout meant their cushion inside the top four was cut to three points following victories for Manchester City and Newcastle, who are fourth and fifth respectively.

Saturday’s early kick-off sees Brighton visit the City ground, and the Seagulls will be looking to continue their good away form which sees them five games unbeaten on the road.

Nuno said: “We have to react, it’s obvious. After a bad performance we have to react, perform better and be a better team.

“It’s back to the basics, what we do well, recognising our strengths and weaknesses and try to do better because it was a bad performance.

“We did so many things wrong. It wasn’t a bad game overall, we started the game well then it’s something we have to look at, when our opponent scores first our reaction is not always the best. The second half, even though we started well, we lost organisation.

“We have to perform much better, be solid, play better football. We were not accurate, missed a lot of passes, so many things to improve. So, a big challenge ahead of us. Brighton is a very good team.”

Callum Hudson-Odoi has not featured for Forest since limping off with a groin injury in their victory over Southampton earlier this month and the winger will be absent again.

Nuno said: “Callum is out. He is not going to be available for the game, big absence for us.

“Ibrahim (Sangare) and Danilo are ready, they joined the squad but Callum is out. We are still assessing, it is something we hope to improve soon but won’t be available for this game.”

Forest have been unusually quiet during the January transfer window as the clock ticks into the final weekend of business.

Forest’s solitary signing remains goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who signed a short-term deal until the end of the season, but both Chris Wood and Murillo have extended their current contracts with the club.

Asked whether he thinks anyone else will be brought in, Nuno said it will have to be someone “special”.

He added: “For someone to come and give us help it has to be different and fit in the squad so someone that brings a different option and solution, so that was our approach as coaching staff.

“The club has to work, it is not easy to operate in this transfer window but it is always the same, someone has to be special.”