Pereira on Wood's possible return, Ortega availability and pressure
· Yahoo Sports
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Midtjylland at MCH Arena (kick-off 17:45 GMT).
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Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Forest have no new injuries and Chris Wood completed the warm-up alongside his team-mates in Denmark. Pereira said: "I don't want to push him, but I think he will be able to help us in the last few games [of the season]. He is important for the group; he is important because he has quality. He scores goals, and he has the personality to help us."
- Pereira also confirmed that Stefan Ortega is in contention to start tomorrow's second leg after being added to the European squad.
- The Garibaldis boss touched on the "balance" and "rotation" of the team in order to keep his side mentally and physically fresh as they sit one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League. "We are in a moment that I must try to balance the team. Try to compete in both competitions. I cannot forget the next game in the Premier League [against Tottenham] because it is an important game for us," said Pereira.
- On facing Midtjylland with a depleted squad: "We need to see the team united. Everyone in condition to help. We don't have a big squad – it means that it is important tomorrow that we feel like we are together in this game to try to get a result to qualify."
- Due to Forest's schedule, Pereira says it is "difficult to prepare the team" but understands that "pressure is part of our job" as Forest aim to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Europa League and steer clear of the relegation zone.
- On their opponents: "Midtjylland is a strong team and very physical. We create a lot of chances to win the game [in the first leg], and we believe that we have the quality to play here and win the game."
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[BBC]