Nottingham Forest to Face FC Porto Without Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest will face FC Porto in the Europa League without one of their standout performers this season, after the club confirmed Elliot Anderson is absent following the death of his mother.

“Elliot Anderson is unavailable for tonight’s fixture following the passing of his beloved mother, Helen.

“Everyone at Nottingham Forest Football Club extends its deepest condolences to Elliot and his family following this extremely sad news. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the Anderson family at this difficult time.”

The news casts a shadow over what should have been a landmark European night at the City Ground. Anderson, 23, has been central to Forest’s campaign, making 42 appearances this season and driving much of their best football from midfield. His form has carried him onto the international stage as a key figure in the England squad, with expectations that he will feature at the World Cup this summer.

Support has poured in from across the game. FC Porto, Forest’s opponents, added their own tribute before kick-off, posting on X: “Our thoughts are with Elliot Anderson and his family tonight. Everyone at FC Porto sends their deepest condolences during this difficult time.”

Anderson was missing from training on Wednesday morning as the squad completed their preparations. He also sat out last week’s 1-1 draw in Porto, though on that occasion it was suspension that kept him away, after an accumulation of yellow cards.

Now the context is very different. Forest must attempt to finish the job without one of their most influential players, in a tie that already carried a sense of history for the club.

Vitor Pereira’s side are chasing a place in the Europa League semi-finals in what is Forest’s first European campaign since 1995-96, when they reached the quarter-finals of the old UEFA Cup. For a club that lifted the European Cup in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough, nights like this have always felt like part of their identity.

This one will feel heavier, quieter, even amid the roar. Forest go into it not just with a place in Europe’s last four at stake, but with a teammate and friend firmly in their thoughts.