Yuri Ribeiro: Portuguese left-back returns to the squad and makes a claim to start more often for Nottingham Forest

After yet another bright performance, Yuri Ribeiro has reminded Chris Hughton as to why he should be the preferred option at left-back for Nottingham Forest.

Returning to the squad for just the third time this season, the 23-year-old full-back barely put a foot wrong in a 2-1 victory over Coventry City on Wednesday night, rightfully earning praise from boss Chris Hughton.

Ribeiro produced another of his hard-working performances, winning balls in the area, passing inside to creative players, and more often than not, laying the building blocks for Forest’s attacking chances. Hughton has admitted before how Forest need to pick up points quickly, and Ribeiro’s attacking personality certainly adds quality to their threat in front of goal.

In the fixture against Coventry City, only Cyrus Christie completed more passes and Ribeiro’s full-back partner was again the only person to have more touches. The 23-year-old may not be the individual grabbing goals to win games, possibly not even the man getting assists, but his quick movement, intricate passing and desire to get forward allows chances to be created – which his team-mates can then look to finish off.

Ribeiro made 31 appearances in all competitions last season, his first campaign in English football after signing from Benfica in July 2019, and was destined to be the number one choice at left-back this season. Instead, he has found playing time hard to come by this season. Prior to Wednesday’s outing, Ribeiro had made just two appearances for Forest – mostly down to an ankle injury keeping him on the sidelines.

When the Portugal youth international was injured last season, there were limited options to fall back on. Gaetan Bong could be utilised, but his one and only appearance this season, last Saturday at Middlesbrough, suggests he is far from preferable. Carl Jenkinson is another possibility, but he’s struggled for chances in his preferred right-back position let alone at left-back.

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In came Tyler Blackett and Nicholas Ioannou. The duo were signed to provide competition to Ribeiro, although Ioannou has seemingly moved ahead in the pecking order due to his Portuguese teammate only recently returning from an ankle injury.

Speaking after the late victory over Mark Robins’ side, Lyle Taylor’s stoppage-time penalty proving the difference, Hughton suggested Ribeiro’s performance has not had a negative impact on his future chances.

“Ribeiro, the difficulty was that I came to the club and Nicholas Ioannou had played the game before.

“Tyler Blackett had been signed to play there and was training at that time. I knew Ribeiro well from last season.

“I chose Gaetan Bong in the game before [against Middlesbrough]because I knew what kind of game it would be.

“What I’ve got is a group of players who have trained really well even if they’ve not all played. I’m really pleased for him.”

Next up for the Reds is a home clash with Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday – the last of seven games in 22 days.

The Chairboys lost their opening seven Championship fixtures, but have since won back-to-back fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.

After winning promotion via the Play-Offs after a curtailed League One campaign last season, Gareth Ainsworth’s side will look to pick up the third set of maximum points to restore their hopes of survival.

Forest could feel the benefits of defensive prosperity, however, if Ribeiro is given a second consecutive start.

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