Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has hopes of Taiwo Awonyini making today's clash with Aston Villa.

The Nigeria striker came off the bench for last week's defeat at Liverpool.

“Taiwo is a player we have to manage. He's in a bit of a complex situation with his injury. It's an ongoing one, and it will be for a little while," Cooper said.

“It's frustrating, for him more than anyone else. He was doing so well and this has really held him back.

“It's not been as simple as he's back training and he's fully fit. It's something that is going to be a managing process for a little bit of time now.

“We'll see if he is available for the weekend. We hope he is, but it could go either way."

He added: “I am not sure that he will need surgery down the line, but it is not a straightforward injury, it has also aggravated an injury he had last year. He can have indifferent days (with the injury) and it is an annoying one for him.

“It is something we will have to take day-by-day. He has good support around him, in terms of the medical staff we have, and hopefully he will be able to play more often than not.

“The question of international duty is a conversation for next week. At the moment we are just focusing on what we might be able to get out of him this weekend."