27-12-2018, 09:58 PM
Nottingham Forest could be without striker Karim Ansarifard for up to a month - Nottinghamshire Live
Nottingham Forest could find themselves without striker Karim Ansarifard for up to a month, as they head into the new year.
The 28-year-old completed his move to the City Ground in November, having had to wait for work permit approval following the cancellation of his Olympiacos contract in August.
He has yet to start a game for the Reds but has made five appearances from off the bench so far, most recently in the 1-0 home defeat to QPR.
Just when they are heading into a crucial part of the campaign, with boss Aitor Karanka’s future under threat, however, Forest are set to be without one of their attacking options.
Ansarifard has been called up to the Iran national side by coach Carlos Queiroz for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, as part of a 23-man squad.
Karim Ansarifard slides the ball in between the legs of QPR's Massimo Luongo(Image: JMS Photography)
The competition, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates, gets underway on January 5 and runs for almost a month, with the final on February 1.
During that period, the Reds have a trip to Premier League giants Chelsea in the FA Cup, followed by Championship clashes with Reading, Bristol City and Wigan Athletic – as well as a trip to Birmingham City on February 2.
Iran begin their tournament on January 7, when they take on Yemen in their opening Group D match.
They then play Vietnam on January 12 and Iraq in their final group game four days later.
Queiroz’s side will be out to win the Cup for a fourth time in the country’s history, though it is 43 years since Iran’s last triumph.
Nottingham Forest could find themselves without striker Karim Ansarifard for up to a month, as they head into the new year.
The 28-year-old completed his move to the City Ground in November, having had to wait for work permit approval following the cancellation of his Olympiacos contract in August.
He has yet to start a game for the Reds but has made five appearances from off the bench so far, most recently in the 1-0 home defeat to QPR.
Just when they are heading into a crucial part of the campaign, with boss Aitor Karanka’s future under threat, however, Forest are set to be without one of their attacking options.
Ansarifard has been called up to the Iran national side by coach Carlos Queiroz for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, as part of a 23-man squad.
Karim Ansarifard slides the ball in between the legs of QPR's Massimo Luongo(Image: JMS Photography)
The competition, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates, gets underway on January 5 and runs for almost a month, with the final on February 1.
During that period, the Reds have a trip to Premier League giants Chelsea in the FA Cup, followed by Championship clashes with Reading, Bristol City and Wigan Athletic – as well as a trip to Birmingham City on February 2.
Iran begin their tournament on January 7, when they take on Yemen in their opening Group D match.
They then play Vietnam on January 12 and Iraq in their final group game four days later.
Queiroz’s side will be out to win the Cup for a fourth time in the country’s history, though it is 43 years since Iran’s last triumph.