Key figure ruled out of Leeds United visit for Nottingham Forest and defender also missing after setback

A key Nottingham Forest figure has been ruled out of Saturday’s opening weekend visit of Leeds United by boss Oliver Glasner as part of two Reds men missing.

Leeds face Forest in a 3pm kick-off at the City Ground in their first game of the new Premier League season which also presents new Forest boss Glasner’s first competitive match in charge.

Glasner, though, has revealed that captain Ryan Yates will be missing through injury in addition to young Italian defender Nicolo Savona.

Midfielder Yates sat out the club’s final pre-season friendly against Brest whilst Savona missed the end of last season after undergoing surgery in March.

“Ryan Yates and Savona won’t make the matchday squad,” said Glasner, as quoted by Nottingham Forest’s official website.

“But we still have 23 fit players, which means five can’t make the squad.

“Everyone has had a chance to show through pre-season that they can help the team in winning games and I have to take a decision by tomorrow.

“But these two players can’t make the squad.”

Of Savona, Glasner added: “We thought he would be further than where he is now. He had a minor setback after his knee reacted more with the load than we wanted.

“We had to take a step back, so he’s working in the gym again and working on his knee to get back on the grass. I think it will take a couple of weeks.”