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Adlene Guedioura will not be fit to face Birmingham City but, while Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka admits that is a blow, he says it will provide a chance for others to shine.

The midfielder will not recover from a fractured cheekbone in time to face the Blues at the City Ground.

But Karanka has faith Ben Watson, Ryan Yates and Liam Bridcutt are all high quality alternative options for the Reds.

“He has a small fracture and he is with the medical team, trying to find the best solution,” said Karanka, when asked about the fitness of Guedioura, who had to be subbed on the stroke of half-time at Wigan, following a blow to the face.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

“The main thing is that it is not serious. But we need to fix the problem as soon as possible; we need to take the best decision for him and the team.

“He cannot play with a mask. I do not know exactly what he needs (to recover) but I do know that he will not be available for this game and we are dealing now with what we have to do, to get him back.

“It is a blow, but we do not have time to complain or to miss players who are not available.”

Guedioura had been in good form for Forest, looking like the player he had been during his first spell with the club.

“We know he is important. But we have players like Ben Watson, like Ryan Yates and Liam Bridcutt,” said Karanka. “They are trying to get their chance.

“Bridcutt and Yates have not been playing but they have been training very well and they are ready to play.”

(Image: Ritchie Sumpter @ JMS Photography)

Karanka says the most recent new signings, Michael Hefele and Sam Byram, are both match fit and available, after making a gruelling debut for the club in the EFL Cup – which saw the Reds play with 10 men for a large part of the game, following the red card shown to Jordan Smith.

“Yes they are fit. Both of them are players who I could have considered playing after the Bury game, had the game gone in the normal way; in the right direction,” said Karanka.

“But after a year of not playing regular football, to play such a long period with 10 men was difficult for both of them. They needed time to recover.

“When you put players like them on the pitch two or three games in a row, there was a danger of them getting injured. I did not want to take that risk because we have a good squad.”