Nuno Tavares is set to be out for a while with a new injury, after missing out on Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Nuno Tavares of Nottingham Forest leaves the pitch due to injury during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Nuno Tavares of Nottingham Forest leaves the pitch due to injury during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on September 23, 2023. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

After a difficult start to his season on loan with Nottingham Forest, Nuno Tavares appeared to finally have found his groove in 2024.

Up until this weekend, Tavares had started and played 90 minutes in every Forest game this year except the one against Arsenal – for which he was ineligible.

On top of that, Tavares had also featured in all four of Forest’s FA Cup matches, starting two and playing 45 minutes as a substitute in each of the other two.

Yet the defender was absent when Forest named their squad to face Aston Villa on Saturday, and Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed fears that the player has suffered an injury.

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BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Mads Roerslev of Brentford is challenged by Nuno Tavares of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Gtech Community Stadium on January 20, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Mads Roerslev of Brentford is challenged by Nuno Tavares of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Gtech Community Stadium on January 20, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

“Nuno Tavares is injured so we had to make a decision,” Santo said before the game.

“He was playing good and it is unfortunate that the injury came at a good moment for him and team but Moussa ([Niakhate) is ready to do the job.”

There was more bad news after the match, as Santo suggested it’s not going to be a short-term issue.

“Tavares is injured,” Santo confirmed again. “He got injured in the West Ham game and is going to be out for a while.”

Tavares completed the full 90 minutes against West Ham United, so there were no concerns about an injury at the time. It seems the injury problem came to light afterwards, and the Arsenal man is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Nuno Tavares of Notts Forest looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Nuno Tavares of Notts Forest looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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.

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

Tavares’ issues with injury have limited his appearances to just 11 so far, so it looks like Forest are going to have the freedom to choose whether or not to sign him.

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