Nottingham Forest host FC Midtjylland at the City Ground on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie
Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira(Image: Getty)
Goalkeeper Matz Sels has been restored to Nottingham Forest’s Europa League squad ahead of their last 16 meeting with FC Midtjylland.
Due to a groin injury, the Belgian had been replaced by winter window signing Stefan Ortega in the Reds’ squad list prior to their two-legged play-off against Fenerbahce. Sels has now recovered and has been reinstated to the squad ahead of taking on the Danish outfit.
Vitor Pereira’s men host Midtjylland at the City Ground on Thursday (8pm kick-off) in the first leg of their last 16 tie. They will then travel to Denmark for next week’s return fixture.
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Confirming the squad change, Forest said: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Matz Sels has been reinstated in the club’s UEFA A list ahead of the Reds’ Europa League round of 16 fixtures against FC Midtjylland. Stefan Ortega had taken Sels’ place on the list for the play-off ties against Fenerbahçe, but as per UEFA rules, the Belgium international has been reinstated after returning from injury.”
Ortega had started both games against Fenerbahce in Sels’ absence. However, the former Manchester City man sustained a calf problem in the second leg against the Turkish side.
It meant Sels made an earlier than expected comeback as he started between the posts against Brighton and Hove Albion. He then played his part against Manchester City last Wednesday as head coach Pereira picked up his first point in charge of Forest courtesy of a 2-2 draw.
On the decision to take a risk with Sels against the Seagulls, Pereira said: “Ortega got an injury. We had a conversation with Sels and tried to explain we needed him in this moment, even though he needed more days to be fit and be in shape.
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“He is a leader and a person with strong character. He wanted to help the team and he decided to accept the challenge. Between me, him and the medical department we decided to take the risk to play the game.”
The Reds brought in Ortega following an injury to summer signing John Victor. The Brazilian required knee surgery after injuring himself against Aston Villa in January and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Forest are also still without striker Chris Wood and full-back Nicolo Savona due to knee issues. The latter is facing a fight to feature again this term after undergoing an operation, but it is hoped long-term absentee Wood could return to action next month.
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