Cooper faces tough decision over Emmanuel Dennis, Awoniyi ahead of Wolves clash

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has admitted to being faced with the decision to incorporate Nigerian international Emmanuel Dennis into his plans going forward.

The English manager noted that with Dennis' recent goal for Nottingham Forest, the Super Eagles forward has put himself into contention for a starting berth within the team.

Dennis scored Nottingham Forest's only goal in a 1-1 draw with Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa side on what was the Nigerian's first Premier League start since he joined the club.

Speaking on the goal scored by Dennis, Cooper believes that the goal would help the 24-year-old's confidence as that is what every attacking player wants to do when they join a new team.

Cooper told Nottinghampost: “It was great he scored. That’s what attacking players want to do first when they arrive and when they play any game. And he showed glimpses of what he can offer.

"It was good to give him the start. He did some really good things, especially the goal. He has offered something that we can really consider going forward now.”

The Nottingham Forest manager also highlighted Dennis' poor luck with injuries, stating that minor knocks contributed to why the Nigerian international did not get his first Premier League start till October despite joining the club in mid-August.

Cooper also confirmed that it was a shoulder injury that ruled the former Watford star out of the recent international friendlies against Algeria.

"He’s had a bit of a frustrating time, Dennis. He seems to have picked up more than a few knocks that have just kept him out for a day or two and maybe ruled him out of starting games.

“He’s actually carried a bit of a shoulder problem, which he did just before the international break and ruled him out for a few weeks. 

"He’s been a bit unlucky, in terms of putting a real training run together, getting some starts in the team and competing for a starting place.

"He hasn’t been able to do that. But thankfully, in the last couple of weeks, he’s been pretty clean in terms of injuries and mini setbacks."

Emmanuel Dennis will be hoping to get the nod to lead the line ahead of fellow Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi and English forward Sam Surridge when Nottingham Forest travel to the Molineux Stadium to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, October 15.