Murillo likely to miss Euro semi final with Villapublished at 18:26 BST 23 April
18:26 BST 23 April
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Defender Murillo is expected to miss Nottingham Forest's Europa League semi-final first leg against Aston Villa.
The centre-back limped off with an apparent hamstring injury in the first half of Sunday's 4-1 win over Burnley and is sidelined for Friday's Premier League trip to Sunderland.
He is also expected to miss the first game with Villa at the City Ground next Thursday, Forest's first European semi-final in 42 years.
"He is out [of the Sunderland game]," head coach Vitor Pereira said on Thursday. "We will see. It is a muscle injury.
"I'm not a doctor, I cannot predict, but he will be out tomorrow. I think it will be more than one game."
It adds to Forest's woes after Callum Hudson-Odoi was ruled out for the rest of the season.
"He is OK after the surgery," Pereira said. "He is an important player for us, but the most important thing is for him to fully recover and come back at the level he used to have."
Pereira on Murillo injury, 'building consistency' and Sunderland 'respect'published at 15:05 BST 23 April
15:05 BST 23 April
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Callum Hudson-Odoi is "feeling OK" after undergoing surgery to treat a right quadriceps muscle injury. The 25-year-old will be missed for the rest of this season, "but the most important thing is to have him fully recovered".
Dan Ndoye is in "the right condition" to return to the squad after missing the 4-1 win over Burnley for undisclosed reasons. However, Murillo has been ruled out after being forced off the pitch with a "muscle injury" last time out.
On picking up a Europa League win and a Premier League win last week, he said: "I believe we have to keep the same mentality and same level still. We have to be competitive until the last minute of the last game. This is what I'm trying to put into the minds of my players."
He added that the players will not take their foot off the gas after opening up a five-point cushion from the relegation zone. The aim is to keep "building consistency, competing in every game and fighting to pick up points everywhere".
Pereira said a "special number of points" will be needed to avoid relegation this season, but Nottingham Forest have the "talent, character, energy and support" to be in the Premier League next season.
On the success Sunderland are having this season, he said: "They are having a very good season. I've reminded my players that they are 10 points above us, which means they are playing with consistency. I respect them a lot. They have a good team, they are strong competitors and they have a good manager."
He believes Morgan Gibbs-White should be in the England squad after his performances this season, but he also "respects the national team manager's decision". He added: "All I can say is I only have good things to say about him."
Forest ready to increase pressure on rivalspublished at 11:07 BST 23 April
11:07 BST 23 April
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest have the opportunity to crank the pressure up on their drop rivals.
For the first time in two months Forest play first when they travel to Sunderland on Friday.
The last time they did - the 3-1 defeat at Leeds in February - it was the last knockings of Sean Dyche's reign but there is a different feeling this time.
Four points from the two home games against Aston Villa and Burnley were key and they now have the chance to move eight points clear of the relegation zone.
With four games left after the trip to the Stadium of Light the heat would be on Tottenham and West Ham in the fight to avoid the final relegation spot.
Spurs go to already relegated Wolves on Saturday with West Ham hosting Everton.
Forest cannot afford to pass up the chance of edging further clear in Friday's game in the north east.
Boss Vitor Pereira - who speaks to the media on Thursday afternoon - said after the win over Burley that success can mean different things and survival for Forest would be a success after employing four managers and battling the drop all season.