Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton has revealed he substituted Lewis Grabban at half time during his side's draw with Derby County on Friday night as an injury precaution.

Grabban again struggled to make an impact in the first half, as Martin Waghorn's stunning free kick gave the Rams the lead at the break, and was withdrawn at half time to be replaced by Anthony Knockaert.

That change helped Forest lift their game considerably, with Lyle Taylor's first goal for the club earned Forest a 1-1 draw to make it three unbeaten for Hughton since he took over at The City Ground.

However, it seems that the decision to withdraw Grabban at the break was not a tactical one from the Forest boss, as a result of a hip problem for the striker.

Speaking after the game about Grabban's departure from the game at its half-way point, Hughton told Nottinghamshire Live: “He just felt his hip. It was a little bit sore. We could have taken a risk, but I think it was the right decision."

Assessing the impact that change had on the game, Hughton continued: “I think in some ways it might have helped. We went two up top in the first half, hoping that would work. But the way they defended as a team made it difficult for us to get the right service to the front two.

“But the game opened up in the second half and gave us more options. And we played better in the second half.”

Having scored 20 league goals last season, Grabban has yet to find the net in the current campaign, despite featuring in all seven of Forest's league games in the current campaign, starting in six of those.

The Verdict

This was probably a sensible decision for Hughton to make.

In spite of his recent troubles, Grabban is not a player Forest will want to lose long-term, so you can understand Hughton's desire to take him out of the firing line.

Indeed, it is something that seemed to work given the positive impact Knockaert made for Forest, and you have to wonder what effect that might have on Grabban's chances of getting back in the side when fit.