Latest Nottingham Forest news as Reds Under-21s player Sam Collins suffers broken leg against Carlisle United.
Nottingham Forest youngster Sam Collins has received a show of support from Carlisle United after breaking his leg in this week’s EFL Trophy match at Brunton Park.
Under-21s captain Collins had led the Reds out for Tuesday night’s group game, which Warren Joyce’s side won 2-0. But he was stretchered off and taken to hospital after suffering a broken tibia in the closing stages as he battled for the ball with Owen Moxon.
Cumbrians boss Paul Simpson and Moxon have since been in touch with Collins. The former has paid him a visit in hospital, while midfielder Moxon has checked on his welfare.
“I rang Warren Joyce, the Forest coach, to see how he (Collins) was,” Simpson told the News & Star. “I know Joycey was annoyed on Tuesday night and I wanted to check it wasn’t something we’d done as a football club. It wasn’t that, it was something else which we don’t need to go into.
“He told me the lad was still in hospital in Carlisle. First of all they were struggling to get a bed for him nearer to home, which is Leicester, then they got a bed for him but couldn’t get transport for him to get home, so he was still in the fracture clinic (in Carlisle).
“I went down yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. I wanted to see him face to face. I went into the medical room on Tuesday night but he was in a really bad way – he was puffing on the oxygen and the pain relief.
“He seemed in a really good place yesterday. He seems a really bright kid, a really intelligent lad. I had a good chat with him, just about football and stuff, and wished him all the best.
“I knew Mox had a little series of texts with him as well. Mox had been in touch to check he was OK.
“Mox wanted to apologise for it happening. But in all fairness to Sam he said it was two fully-committed players going for the ball, there was no malice in it, it was just unfortunate he was on the wrong side of it.
“I think it was quite good for Owen to hear from the guy himself that he didn’t feel as though there was any malice involved and it was one of those full-blooded tackles. These things can happen at any point, there are many challenges that as a coach on the sideline you look and think oh no, something bad’s going to happen. I could see that one coming.
“Owen was fine but unfortunately someone’s come out on the wrong side of it. But I’m sure he’ll get good care and attention and will be back fighting fit soon, because he looks a bloody good player.”
Collins had posted a message on social media the day after Forest’s win. He wrote: “Lads were unreal last night. Gutted to find out that I’ve broken my tibia and will be facing a few months on the sidelines. Will do everything I possibly can to come back physically and mentally stronger and better than ever before.”
