Nottingham Forest were dealt another big blow in their quest for Championship survival with the news that recent signing Adam Nowland is likely to be out until after Christmas.

Nowland, who joined the Reds in a £250K deal from Championship rivals West Ham, has yet to complete a full match for Forest and speaking to the Nottingham Evening Post said, "My goal is to be back for the Leicester game but if that is too soon, then West Ham on Boxing Day.

"But I have got to be really sensible and rest for a couple of weeks at least."

This follows the news that veteran midfielder Eoin Jess is also facing 4-6 weeks out of the picture with a damaged groin muscle, limiting the Reds options in central midfielder still further as they prepare to face East Midlands rivals Derby County & Leicester City in the next couple of weeks.

The former West Ham man revealed that he felt the hamstring go as he sprinted for the ball in the weekend defeat at Gillingham, where he spent a month on loan earlier in the season, and knew he had to come off or face a lengthier spell on the sidelines, "I cannot rush it this time. I know the damage is not massive and hopefully I will be out for less than three weeks.

"But I want a guarantee that it is okay before I play and that will give me the confidence."

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