AMSTERDAM — Nottingham Forest hope injured forward Robbie Findley can make a quick return against visiting Leicester City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, despite a bum shoulder that will likely force the forward to undergo summer surgery.
Findley was pulled just six minutes into last Saturday's home defeat to Cardiff City, his first start in more than a month. Findley jammed the shoulder after absorbing a challenge, which resulted in a yellow card, by Bluebirds goalkeeper David Marshall.
Forest boss Steve Cotterill hopes the US international can make it through the season before going under the knife.
"According to the manager, it's a problem he's carried for awhile now," Reds press officer Fraser Nicholson told MLSsoccer.com. "He thinks Robbie will need surgery eventually, but he may be available for our FA Cup match on Saturday.”
The injury has periodically flared up on Findley since arriving at City Ground last January. The current issue is just the most recent setback.
"Apparently, this shoulder pops out from time to time," said Nicholson. "Sometimes it pops back in and sometimes it's separated."
After being limited to two appearances last season, the former Real Salt Lake striker has hit for five goals in 19 games across all competitions this term, good for second on the team. Forest are currently 22nd in the Championship, two points from a safety spot.
The club snapped a seven-match goal and win drought with Monday's 3-1 victory against Ipswich Town. Forest had been shutout for 630 consecutive league minutes since a November 19 home victory – also over Ipswich and the occasion of Findley's last goal.
