Aitor Karanka may have put the final nail in the coffin of Gil Dias’ Nottingham Forest career, as the 22-year-old was dropped from the matchday squad that travelled to Millwall.
On the chalkboard
Forest looked set to take all three points at fellow-promotion hopefuls Norwich on Boxing Day, as Matty Cash and Jack Robinson put the visitors three-goals to the good after 65 minutes.
Mario Vrancic’s deflected effort started a come back for the Canaries, however, before an Onel Hernandez double sealed a point in stoppage time.
Dias was heavily at fault for the final strike finding the net, when his mistimed clearance failed to clear the penalty area and Ben Godfrey was able to poke the ball through for his second assist of the game.
Karanka was clearly unimpressed with his 83rd minute substitute’s impact on the game, and dropped the Portuguese attacking midfielder from the matchday squad altogether for his side’s subsequent trip to Millwall on December 29.
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A bold statement preferring a teenager
Karanka had called on the services of Monaco loanee Dias 20 times in total over the current Championship campaign – starting ten and making a further ten substitute appearances – but favoured Arvin Appiah for the trip to Millwall.
The 17-year-old may have been an unused substitute at The Den, but it was only the forward’s second call-up to a senior squad in the Championship – Appiah was also an unused substitute when Preston travelled to the City Ground earlier in the month.
It showed a bold statement of belief in Appiah to be selected, however, as it indicated Karanka is confident enough in the teenager’s ability having netted in his debut senior game – Appiah was an 84th minute substitute as Forest lost 3-2 to Burton in the Carabao Cup.
What next for Dias?
It may be too early to jump to any conclusions that it is over for the 6ft ace as this was only the first time he has not been included in a matchday squad this season, but the Braga product will undoubtedly have to prove his worth again on the training ground having lost the faith of his manager.
Upcoming games with Leeds, Reading and Bristol City will be telling for the 22-year-old, as if he fails to feature in the squad in any way for each of those, he could potentially return to parent club Monaco early.
The nail, then, may not be hammered into the coffin just yet but is firmly being held in place.
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