West Ham United boost as Gibbs-White news emerges ahead of Nottingham Forest clash
Julen Lopetegui has been given a boost ahead of West Ham United versus Nottingham Forest after Morgan Gibbs-White's absence from training was noted.
Nottinghamshire Live reported on 29 October that after the Reds hosted an open training session at the City Ground, and Forest fans were quick to spot that Gibbs-White was one notable absentee.
The England midfielder hasn't featured in the Premier League since injuring his ankle against Chelsea on 6 October, but 17 days later Nuno Espirito Santo had said Gibbs-White was "progressing" prior to facing Leicester City last time out [Nottinghamshire Live, 23 October].
West Ham can seize the upper hand against Nottingham Forest
It's been rare this season that the Hammers have entered a game full of confidence, but having claimed a controversial 2-1 victory over Manchester United last time out, Lopetegui has plenty of reasons to.
Facing a Forest side missing arguably their best player will be a boost for the Spaniard, who has so far been on the end of some heavy defeats from sides in the upper reaches of the Premier League table.
Lopetegui is also weighing up leaving his own number 10 Lucas Paqueta out of the starting side on 2 November [Give Me Sport, 29 October], but the prospect of facing Forest minus Gibbs-White will be a welcome one for the Irons.
Sat seventh with 16 points after nine game, Forest's fast start to the season – picking up results both with and without Gibbs-White in the team – mean they'll be no easy feat for the Hammers to get past.
Improvements are needed from last weekend's win which saw Erik ten Hag – rather than the under-pressure Lopetegui – lose his job, but the Irons boss will be keen to exploit the gaps left by Gibbs-White in Forest's midfield.
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