EPL

Forest plot fresh transfer raids after 22-man summer spree as Lingard faces a month out

By Sports Desk January 01, 2023

Big-spending Nottingham Forest are ready to add to their army of players this month as Steve Cooper revealed Jesse Lingard faces a month out of action.

Manager Cooper believes the club will make every effort to bolster his squad ahead of a push to secure Premier League safety.

Forest made 21 signings in the last transfer window, during the English summer, with free agent Serge Aurier later joining the flood of arrivals after the deadline passed for deals between clubs.

It was an extraordinary burst of activity from the promoted team, back in the English top flight for the first time since 1999, and they are determined to ensure it is not a one-season return to the elite.

After Sunday's 1-1 draw against Chelsea, in which Aurier scored, Cooper was asked about the prospect of making new signings, and he said: "I think so, hope so.

"I trust in the club to get to work, and if there are some things that can help the squad and the team and what we need, then we will do that.

"You say it a little bit through gritted teeth, because of what went on in the summer, and there's that sense of Forest signing players again, but the summer was the summer, you have to look at where we're at now."

Forest sit 18th in the 20-team Premier League, with three sides to be relegated.

Cooper confirmed former Manchester United and England midfielder Lingard will be unavailable for a stretch of fixtures due to a hamstring problem.

"We've picked up some long-term injuries since the summer to key players. Jesse's out for a month now," Cooper told Sky Sports.

"If we can add the right players in the right positions, then we'll need to do that, and we'll want to do it as well."

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    White had been dealing with several issues all season and has missed five games in all competitions for the Gunners already this term. 

    After struggling through until the November international break, the decision was taken for him to undergo surgery in order to finally address the ongoing problems.

    It serves as a bitter blow for Arteta, with only Thomas Parety (13) making more interceptions than White (11) for Arsenal in the Premier League this campaign. 

    Though Arteta confirmed that the surgery was successful, White is set for a lengthy spell out of the team. 

    "It has been different kinds of struggles. It has never been the same thing, but we had to make a decision. He has not improved over the last few weeks, unfortunately," said Arteta.

    "We know that Ben is going to push every boundary, but it got to the point where we have to protect the player and we decided to do the surgery.

    "He agreed with that and it is going to keep him out for a few months."

    Asked for a specific time frame, Arteta added: "We have to see how he reacts post-surgery. I don't expect it to be half a year, but I cannot tell you exactly."

    It offers a concern for Arteta in the full-back area, with the Spaniard also revealing on Friday that Takehiro Tomiyasu is "going to be out as well for a bit".

    There was, however, some positive injury news for the Gunners ahead of welcoming Nottingham Forest to the Emirates on Saturday. 

    After not featuring for England during the international break, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are expected to be fit to feature against Nuno Espirito Santo's side. 

    Leandro Trossard will also be available for Arteta despite picking up a hamstring injury during the international break with Belgium.

    Defender Riccardo Calafiori is also in contention for Saturday's game after a month out with a knee problem. 

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