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By TOM COLLOMOSSE, FOOTBALL REPORTER <\/p>\n
Published:<\/span> 12:53 BST, 6 May 2026 <\/time> <\/span> | Updated:<\/span> 12:53 BST, 6 May 2026 <\/time> <\/span> <\/p>\n
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Nottingham Forest have not given up hope of having Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White available against Aston Villa on Thursday despite both suffering recent injuries.<\/p>\n
Gibbs-White had several stitches in a facial wound after a collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez while Murillo has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury in Forest\u2019s win over Burnley on April 19. His participation at Villa Park remains in the balance.<\/p>\n
Daily Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Forest were expected to look into whether Gibbs-White could wear a protective mask at Villa Park.<\/p>\n
Asked about Gibbs-White, boss Vitor Pereira said: ‘It is not a question for me, it’s a decision between the player and medical department. We will have a last meeting to decide. We have a plan with him and without him.’<\/p>\n
The pair are among Forest\u2019s most important players. Gibbs-White has 16 goals and six assists in all competitions while Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic are the first-choice centre backs.<\/p>\n
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Morgan Gibbs-White showed his war wounds on social media after having stitches<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Forest know that if they avoid defeat at Aston Villa on Thursday, they will reach the Europa League final, thanks to their 1-0 victory in the first leg at the City Ground.<\/p>\n
It is not unusual for players to wear protective gear. Harry Kane scored for Tottenham in the 2016 north London derby at White Hart Lane while wearing a mask over a broken nose. Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen continues to wear one after sustaining serious facial injuries while playing for Napoli in 2021.<\/p>\n
Such masks can sometimes be uncomfortable, hindering performance. But Gibbs-White is so important to Forest that if he would surely play if permitted and he is said to be determined to feature. <\/p>\n
But having suffered a serious injury only three days earlier, it remains to be seen whether Forest err on the side of caution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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