Injury to work in Gio Reyna’s favour? Morgan Gibbs-White concern could see window of opportunity open for USMNT star at Nottingham Forest after another cameo off the bench in Tottenham defeat

The United States international remains a fringe figure for the Reds, despite their Premier League relegation battle crying out for creative inspiration. Morgan Gibbs-White has been carrying that load for much of the season, and Reyna is struggling to get a look in. That remained the case during a 3-1 defeat at Spurs despite his main rival for the No.10 berth suffering a fitness problem.

Forest were very much in the game against Spurs when the half-time whistle blew, having seen Chris Wood cancel out an early own goal from Murillo, but they squandered a number of other decent opportunities and saw precious points slip away from them as Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro netted before the hour mark.

A bad weekend of results for Forest mean that they are once again looking anxiously over collective shoulders. Only goal difference is keeping them above Luton and out of the relegation zone, with inconsistency having been a problem all season. Reyna was acquired to help steer a course to safety, but he has been left watching on from the sidelines for the most part.

Reyna caught the eye when being introduced on the hour mark against Crystal Palace, before stepping off the bench again in Forest’s 3-1 victory over Fulham that hinted at a spark being found at just the right time.

Had the Reds kept themselves in the hunt for another crucial win in north London, then maybe Reyna would have got the nod to form part of a late push to snatch all three points – especially when Gibbs-White was forced off and had his right hamstring quickly strapped with ice.

As it happens, Nuno Espirito Santo favoured the energy of Argentine midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, instead of American flair, in the 68th minute and only turned to Reyna with nine minutes left on the clock – giving him little time in which to make an impact.

USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner was also among the replacements for Forest as they headed to the English capital, but Belgian shot-stopper Matz Sels put in another decent performance – helping to keep the score down – and any change between the sticks appears unlikely at this stage.

Forest have just six games left to take in this season. It may be that a knock to Gibbs-White opens up a window of opportunity for Reyna, with somebody needed to the pull strings in a playmaking post, but it remains to be seen whether he was replaced as a precaution or if a spell on the sidelines beckons. The Reds will be back in action next Saturday when playing host to Wolves at the City Ground.