BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) 鈥� Morgan Gibbs-White is in 鈥減ain鈥� because of a facial injury and might have to wear a mask to play against Aston Villa in the second leg of the Europa League semifinals, Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira said Wednesday.
Gibbs-White, who is vying to make England鈥檚 squad for the , sustained a deep cut on his forehead after colliding with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in Forest鈥檚 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Monday.
The attacking midfielder was forced off the field, just 20 minutes after coming on as a halftime substitute. He is now a doubt for Forest鈥檚 return match at Villa in the Europa League on Thursday. after last week鈥檚 first leg thanks to Chris Wood鈥檚 second-half penalty.
鈥�(He is) with pain, for sure,鈥� Pereira said, 鈥渂ut we will see tomorrow if he is able (to play) or not. Big question.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a decision between the player, the medical department and myself, but we didn鈥檛 have the meeting to decide.鈥�
Asked if Gibbs-White could play in a specially fitted face mask, Pereira said: 鈥淚 think yesterday he went to have a mask made.鈥�
The availability of Gibbs-White, one of the form players in English soccer, could be key to Forest鈥檚 chances of reaching the final in Istanbul. The winner of the Europa League secures direct qualification to the Champions League.
It would be Forest鈥檚 first European trophy since winning the European Cup 鈥� the precursor to the Champions League 鈥� in 1979 and 1980 under the great Brian Clough.
Villa won the European Cup in 1982 so the two teams from central England have pedigree, if not for a generation.
Braga leads Freiburg 2-1 after the first leg of the other semifinal. Freiburg hosts the return match.
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