Fans Furious and in Total Shock as Oliver Glasner Confirms Two Nottingham Forest Players Will Miss Leeds Opener
Nottingham Forest supporters have been left frustrated after Oliver Glasner confirmed that two players will miss the club’s Premier League opening clash against Leeds United at the City Ground. Ryan Yates and Nicolo Savona have both been ruled out, creating an early selection headache for the new Forest head coach.
The news arrives at a particularly significant moment for Forest. Saturday’s meeting with Leeds marks Glasner’s first competitive match in charge of the club, with the Austrian taking over following a turbulent 2025/26 campaign that saw Forest go through several managerial changes. Glasner has therefore been handed the responsibility of bringing stability and a clear tactical identity back to the City Ground.
For supporters, Yates’ absence is especially notable. The midfielder has long been associated with Forest and is regarded as an important figure within the squad. His energy, defensive work and ability to compete in midfield can be particularly valuable in a physically demanding Premier League fixture.
Savona’s absence is another setback because Glasner is beginning the season with a new system and needs as many options as possible. Forest are expected to operate with a structure influenced by the Austrian’s preferred tactical approach, making squad depth particularly important during the opening weeks of the campaign.
The timing of the injuries has inevitably generated frustration among supporters. Opening-day fixtures carry enormous importance, especially for a new manager attempting to establish himself quickly. Glasner will now have to make adjustments before facing a Leeds side that has also made changes during the summer and arrives at the City Ground determined to begin the campaign positively.
The fixture is also significant because both clubs spent much of the previous campaign battling near the wrong end of the Premier League table. Forest eventually finished 16th, while Leeds ended the season 14th, meaning both sides will be eager to avoid another difficult campaign.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the two absences, Forest still possess enough quality to make the opening fixture highly competitive. Morgan Gibbs-White remains one of the team’s major attacking threats, while Igor Jesus is expected to carry considerable responsibility in the final third. Glasner will be hoping his players quickly adapt to his methods and give the home supporters something to celebrate.
There is also an intriguing historical angle to the match. Six consecutive Nottingham Forest managers have failed to win their first Premier League game in charge, with Dave Bassett the last Forest boss to achieve victory in his opening league match back in 1997. Glasner therefore has an immediate opportunity to break an unwanted club trend.
Ultimately, the absence of Yates and Savona is frustrating, but it should not automatically be interpreted as a crisis. Glasner has spent the summer assessing his squad and preparing alternatives. The real test will be whether those replacements can deliver the intensity, organisation and discipline required against Leeds.
For Forest fans, the message is simple: the new era begins now. With two players unavailable and enormous expectations surrounding Glasner, all eyes will be on the City Ground to see whether the Austrian can produce the start that supporters have been waiting for.
Nottingham Forest transfer latest – new signing ‘one step away’ as midfielder interest emerges
Nottingham Forest are gearing up for the end of an important summer transfer WINDOW
It is a crucial time for Nottingham Forest with the start of the new season and the end of the transfer window on the horizon.
Oliver Glasner’s side will kick off the 2026/27 Premier League campaign at home to Leeds United on Saturday (3pm kick-off). They will then have little more than a week to complete their summer business before deadline day on September 1.
Plenty of rumours have been doing the rounds as the Reds look to get deals done. The Nottingham Post rounds up the latest transfer news and gossip…
DODO DEAL
Forest already have strong Brazilian representation in their ranks, and they could be about to add to that contingent. According to reports, a deal for Fiorentina right-back Dodo appears to be gathering pace.
Multiple sources suggest the Reds are in line to pay €10 million (£8.5m) for the 27-year-old. Journalist Nicolo Schira has claimed on X a contract until 2030 is in the offing for Dodo, with the player “one step away” from heading to the City Ground.
The defender has 12 months remaining on his contract in Italy. He joined Fiorentina from Shakhtar Donetsk four years ago.
Nottingham Post says: Bringing in a full-back has been on Forest’s shopping list this summer as they aim to mount a charge up the table under head coach Glasner. Dodo is capable of playing as a right-back and as a wing-back, which fits with the Austrian’s preferred three-at-the-back system.
A number of possibilities for this position have been linked with the Reds. At £8.5m, Dodo would be a low-risk addition and would ensure Glasner has strength in depth defensively.
Munoz mooted
Tied to developments surrounding Dodo is the emergence of a link with Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz. Colombian reporter Pipe Sierra (via Sport Witness) has reported the Eagles are open to selling the 30-year-old, with a €29m (£25m) price tag having been placed on his head.
Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have all been credited with an interest in Munoz. The three clubs are said to have been in touch with Palace about the conditions of a potential deal.
Nottingham Post says: If the Reds are able to wrap up a move for Dodo, this particular link would surely be dead in the water. There is no need for two right-backs to be added to the squad, even if Nicolo Savona ends up moving on.
As with most clubs, Forest will have looked at various targets for bolstering Glasner’s full-back resources. It would not be a surprise if they keep their options open until pen is put to paper, but would Palace be particularly willing to do business with the Reds?
Midfielder interest
Xaver Schlager has already been added to the Reds’ midfield ranks and has made a positive impression so far. However, the club are understood to want to further strengthen in this department.
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Lucas Bergvall has been on their radar for some time but a new name now seems to be in the frame. Forest are interested in Fiorentina’s Nicolo Fagioli, according to Sportmediaset (via Sport Witness). Crystal Palace and Napoli are also said to be eyeing up the 25-year-old.
Nottingham Post says: Fagioli is a versatile player who has caught the eye with his performances over the past year or so. An Italy international, he has a fair bit of experience under his belt but also plenty of room for further development.
The Reds do want to add another midfielder, having lost Elliot Anderson to Manchester City earlier in the summer. Their search for the right signing looks like going right to the end of the transfer window.
Sarah Clapson is Nottingham Forest correspondent for NottinghamshireLive and the Nottingham Post. An experienced sports reporter, she has covered the Reds since 2015, having joined the Post the previous year. Sarah has been in sports journalism for two decades and previously covered Mansfield Town for the Post, and before that Scunthorpe United for the Scunthorpe Telegraph. During her time covering Forest, she has been involved in the coverage of everything from Evangelos Marinakis’ takeover of the club to the promotion win at Wembley; from a points deduction to an FA Cup semi-final – not to mention plenty of managerial changes and numerous transfer sagas. She follows the team up and down the country, as well as abroad, to report on the latest goings-on.
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Forget Liam Delap, Nottingham Forest must strike deal for Chelsea striker’s teammate
Nottingham Forest are strongly linked with a move for Chelsea striker Liam Delap.Imago
Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.
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Nottingham Forest are believed to be closing in on a deal for Chelsea outcast Liam Delap before the transfer window shuts.
The 23-year-old’s time at Stamford Bridge has failed to hit the heights anticipated, notching one Premier League goal since signing for £30million.
After hitting 12 goals for Ipswich Town in the 2024-25 campaign, several clubs were fighting over his signature, and the Blues likely regret winning the race now.
All signs point towards an exit in West London for the Manchester City academy graduate, with the City Ground a potential destination this summer.
Football Insider understands that Newcastle United is also an interested party, though the Reds appear to be leading the race for the striker.
However, Football Insider also understands that signing a new centre-forward is not a priority in the remaining weeks of the window.
Why Liam Delap should not be Nottingham Forest’s target
Oliver Glasner is only likely to make additions in the final third if the opportunity to do so presents itself at the City Ground.
In any case, though, if Forest are going to attempt to secure an attacking signing from Chelsea this summer, it shouldn’t be Delap they go for.
Despite only arriving at Stamford Bridge from Strasbourg, Chelsea are already open to offers for 23-year-old Emmanuel Emegha.
Marseille had been closing in on a deal, but with the young talent currently sidelined, the Ligue 1 giants have decided against moving forward.
This presents Forest with the perfect opportunity to add another figure to their striker ranks, alongside Igor Jesus, Arnaud Kaliumuendo and Chris Wood.
Should Emmanuel Emegha’s injury record be a concern?
During the 2024-25 campaign, Emegha notched 14 goals and three assists in 29 games, missing seven matches for club and country via a knee injury.
Last season was far more frustrating. Thanks to two hamstring problems, a fiber muscle tear and a dead leg, he missed a total of 33 games.
Despite that, he still managed to record eight goals and two assists in 18 appearances, and would be an incredible option off the bench for Glasner.
With his minutes being managed, there is no reason why the Reds shouldn’t take a chance, especially given that he would be arriving on loan.