Nottingham Forest injury update provided after fresh blow against Sunderland

The Reds took a significant step toward securing Premier League safety with their thumping Friday night victory in the north east. The three points moved them eight points clear of the bottom three ahead of West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur being in action today (Saturday).

The only down side to a memorable evening was centre-back Jair being forced off in the 50th minute. The Brazilian seemed to be in pain as he left the pitch clutching his arm.

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"We will see," head coach Vitor Pereira said. "I am concerned about this because if we lose players in the same position at this time, it is a big problem.

"I hope. We will see. I am not a doctor, so we will see."

Jair had started against the Black Cats in the absence of countryman Murillo. The latter sustained a suspected hamstring problem during last weekend's 4-1 toppling of Burnley.

In addition to having been sidelined for the Stadium of Light clash, Murillo is expected to miss next week's Europa League semi-final first leg against Aston Villa. If Jair is ruled out of that one, too, it would leave Pereira light in the defensive department.

Morato replaced Jair in the north east and would be in line to start at the City Ground next week if his teammates are absent. Youngster Zach Abbott is another option for Pereira and has impressed this term.

On Murillo, Pereira had said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday: “We will see. It is a muscle injury.

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“I’m not a doctor, I cannot predict, but he will be out (against Sunderland). I think it will be more than one game.”

A first-half goal blitz had set the visitors on their way to three points against Sunderland. After a Trai Hume own goal had opened the scoring, they found the net three times in the space of seven minutes through Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus. Elliot Anderson went on to round off a fine night’s work in second-half added time.

“We create the true spirit of the team,” Pereira said. “When we celebrate, we feel that the players on the bench want to help the team. They feel we are family and we are fighting together with our supporters, who were fantastic again. We feel (the fans’) energy, even in the moments when we are suffering we know they are with us.

“I was very happy. You try to be calm, but it is not easy.”