Nuno Tavares was forced off with an injury against Manchester City over the weekend, with Steve Cooper suggesting it’s a groin issue.

Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares made his first start for Nottingham Forest over the weekend, but it didn’t last long.

Just 39 minutes into his appearance against Manchester City, Tavares was forced off with an injury.

After the game, Forest boss Steve Cooper gave an update on the player.

“I don’t know how he is,” Cooper said. “I think he’s come off with a bit of a groin problem. We’ll have to have a look at him. That’s what it seemed like, but I don’t know.”

Tavares had made a couple of substitute appearances for Forest before the City game, playing the final 18 minutes of a win over Chelsea and the last 37 minutes of a draw with Burnley.

But after his injury on his third appearance, the Arsenal left-back is still yet to complete a half for his new side.

Fabrizio Romano reported over the summer that Forest are paying Arsenal a £1m loan fee for Tavares, with a £12m option to buy in the deal and an additional £3m in add-ons.

The buy option isn’t mandatory, but it could become mandatory if certain conditions are met during the loan.

Those conditions haven’t been confirmed, but it’s probably safe to assume they include things like avoiding relegation and playing a certain number of matches.

So for the good of the player and his parent club, avoiding a long-term injury absence would be ideal.