Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams ruled out for rest of season

Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams has been ruled out for the rest of the 2022-23 campaign.

The Wales international was stretchered off in the 65th minute of Wednesday's 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the City Ground.

Williams collided with teammate Morgan Gibbs-White when the pair attempted to reach Brennan Johnson's lofted cross.

On Thursday, Forest released a statement to confirm that Williams had been taken to hospital where he underwent successful surgery.

Williams has since posted on social media to reveal that he sustained a broken jaw against Brighton, which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

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Writing on Twitter, Williams said: "I am gutted to say my season's over for sustaining a broken jaw. I will do everything I can to help my teammates bring home those points every game."

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League away meeting with Brentford, Forest boss Steve Cooper commented on the injury setback.

"He was playing with confidence, so it's a blow for him and a blow for us," Cooper told reporters.

"Everybody saw the collision on the pitch and when someone gets stretchered off, you always fear the worst. It's a difficult situation for him, he's recently got back into the team and he's been playing well."

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The 22-year-old joins a lengthy injury list, and he is the second Forest player to be ruled out of the season in the last few days after Scott McKenna fractured his collarbone in Saturday's defeat to Liverpool.

With Williams unavailable for Forest's final five fixtures, he will end the 2022-23 campaign with one goal and one assist in 36 competitive appearances.

Forest also have fitness concerns over Moussa Niakhate and Taiwo Awoniyi with the pair set to be assessed ahead of Saturday's trip to the Brentford Community Stadium.

The visitors, who are currently one point clear of the drop zone, will be looking to claim their first away win since January 4.