Nottingham Forest trying to re-register player in 25-man squad due to 'severe injury crisis' ahead of Man City clash

Nottingham Forest have submitted a formal request to have a player re-registered in their 25-man Premier League squad amid an injury crisis at the club, according to reports.

Steve Cooper’s men, who were promoted to the Premier League at the end of last season, are currently six points from the drop zone and are 14th in the league table.

However, Forest face a tough second half of the season due to injuries, with defenders Scott McKenna and Willy Boly both sidelined.

McKenna picked up a hamstring injury after lasting only seven minutes in Forest’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage last week.

The 26-year-old Forest defender will be ruled out of Scotland’s forthcoming European Championship qualifiers and is expected to return in April for the club.

Boly, much like McKenna, picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat to Fulham and also faces a lengthy spell on the sideline.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Forest have submitted an application for Steve Cook to be included in their 25-man Premier League squad again.

The newspaper reports that the Premier League club’s application includes medical reports on Boly’s condition in a bid to ‘boost their case’ for Cook’s return.

Cook rejected a loan move to the Championship and was left out of the 25-man squad, but his return would be a major boost for Forest boss Cooper.

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Forest reportedly feel their request for the 31-year-old defender could be pushed through due to the fact that Cook had previously been registered as a signing.

Forest on Thursday sent off their application to the Premier League and ‘hope to discover the outcome before midday on Friday.’

Cooper’s men face a tough test on Saturday when they welcome defending Premier League champions Manchester City to City Ground.

The Forest manager could be left with only Felipe and Joe Worrall as his only available picks at centre-half if Cook’s inclusion in the squad isn’t confirmed.