Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton says that midfielder Ryan Yates could return for his side's clash with Luton Town on Tuesday night, but that striker Lewis Grabban will likely miss that match.

Yates was absent from the matchday squad as Forest played out a 1-1 draw with local rivals Derby County, with what Hughton has revealed was a recurrence of a recent calf injury.

However, it seems the injury is not one that will keep Yates out of action for too long.

Providing an update on the midfielder after he missed that draw with the Rams, Hughton told Nottinghamshire Live: “It was touch and go. It was the same problem that kept him out for the last few weeks.

“The good news is that that it’s very, very minor. And we’re hoping that he will be training come Sunday so that hopefully puts him in contention.

"I can’t guarantee that but hopefully, it puts him in contention for Tuesday, if not certainly Saturday.”

Grabban meanwhile has missed Forest's last three games with a hamstring injury, and it seems as though that could again keep him out of action in midweek.

Discussing the situation around the striker's fitness, Hughton went on to add: “He is still not training with us yet, I must admit.

“Would I see him being available Tuesday? Probably not at this stage. But again for the type of injury that it is, it was certainly one that could have been worse. And it ended up being very minor.”

So far this season, Yates has scored twice in 24 league appearances for Forest, while Grabban has found the net three times in 17 Championship outings.

The Verdict

This does feel like a rather mixed injury update from Hughton for Forest.

Yates' return to contention will obviously be a boost given his impressive performances this season, although James Garner and Cafu have been solid in the centre of midfield recently.

As a result, there may be no guarantee that Yates will feature on Tuesday night, even if he is fit and available to do so.

Grabban meanwhile, ought to be a miss given the extra option he offers Forest up top, and his ability to finish chances would certainly be a welcome option for the side, considering the opportunities they failed to take to extend their advantage when leading against Derby on Friday night.