“He is fighting to be fit for the game, his recovery is going well, The sooner we get him back, the better for us”- Steve Cooper gives injury updates on Murillo, Aurier and Awoniyi ahead of crucial Spurs clash

Steve Cooper has given an update on injuries to three Nottingham Forest stars

Head coach Steve Cooper has given little away about Murillo’s availability for Nottingham Forest’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

The centre-back has been one of the shining lights of Forest’s season so far. But he hobbled off in the 77th minute of the Reds’ 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend after picking up a knock.

Full-back Serge Aurier missed the game at Molineux as well as the 5-0 thumping at Fulham before that. He is also a doubt for the match at the City Ground.

“We’ll see,” Cooper said of Murillo. “He limped off against Wolves.”

“Serge is fighting to be fit for the game as well. It’s inconclusive at the moment, we’ll see. Serge also missed the game (last weekend) and we’ll see about them both.”

Forest go into the meeting with Spurs on a run of one win in 12. The stalemate in the West Midlands ended a run of four straight defeats but Cooper remains under pressure.

Talisman Taiwo Awoniyi is proving to be a big miss as the Reds are struggling to find a way to play without him. He is not expected to return until well into the new year after undergoing groin surgery.

“Taiwo is the obvious long-term one,” Cooper said of his injury list. “He is going well but he is a long, long way from being back involved in games.

“But his recovery programme is going well. He had a positive appointment this week. He doesn’t enjoy being injured but he is staying positive in his mentality.

“He is a likeable guy and it’s great to see him every day. The sooner we get him back, the better for us.”