Morgan Gibbs-White is playing wearing a face mask as Nottingham Forest face Manchester United in the Premier League.
Gibbs-White suffered a sickening cut to his forehead during Forest’s impressive 3-1 win at Chelsea on 4 May as he clashed with Blues keeper Robert Sanchez in an aerial duel.
He had only come on in the second half but was forced him off shortly after, and later had multiple stitches on the nasty-looking injury.
He was named in the starting XI for the first time since his injury for this Sunday’s visit to Old Trafford and played wearing a face mask, as he had done since his return to training.
Vitor Pereira told Sky Sports before the game: “He wants to play because he wants to play, he has ambition. He is a very important player.”
Forest were left sweating on their star midfielder’s availability ahead of trying to book a place in their first European final since 1980, with Pereira’s side taking a 1-0 lead to Villa Park courtesy of Chris Wood’s penalty in the first leg.
Gibbs-White was fit enough for the squad but did not feature as Forest lost 4-0, with the side having specially prepared headwear to protect the cut.
PA
