Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper hopeful of double injury boost ahead of Man City clash

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper will push to have Serge Aurier and Willy Boly available when his side face Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday.

The pair were both absent for Forest's 1-1 draw at home to Burnley on Monday night, with Boly taken ill shortly before the game while Aurier suffered an injury against Chelsea before the international break. Central midfielder Danilo was also absent at the City Ground and will certainly miss this weekend's clash against the Blues.

Forest have enjoyed a strong start to the season with two wins and a draw from their opening five games. Cooper hopes to continue that good form with a result in Manchester, and will leave it late before deciding on the fitness of his defensive pair.

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"Serge [Aurier] is closer than Danilo, who is going to be out for a few weeks," Cooper admitted on Thursday. "Serge is getting closer, it's one we're trying to push as hard as we can without unnecessary risk. We'll see how that goes.

"[Willy Boly] is back. He took a hit with illness which can take a little time to recover. Another one we’re monitoring daily but he’s back with the group.

"Felipe is still managing a knee situation after coming back with the group. Something we’re monitoring but nothing new from Monday night."

Cooper won't have particularly fond memories of the Etihad, having seen his side thrashed 6-0 last August. Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick inside 38 minutes that day and there was a feeling Pep Guardiola's side could have kicked on and scored more.

But he will face a hugely-depleted Blues outfit on Saturday, with Guardiola managing a