Nottingham Forest fans may have to brace for a tough finish to the season, as star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is reportedly a doubt for the remainder of the campaign. Manager Vitor Pereira has cast uncertainty over the 26-year-old's fitness, leaving supporters on edge as the club battles for Premier League survival.

Gibbs-White was an unused substitute in Thursday's heartbreaking 4-0 Europa League semi-final second leg defeat at Aston Villa, which saw Forest eliminated 4-1 on aggregate. Villa now march on to face Freiburg in the final in Istanbul on May 20. The midfielder's absence from the pitch raised eyebrows, especially after he suffered a serious head cut during Monday's win over Chelsea.

"I cannot answer because I don't know about Morgan," Pereira admitted when asked if Gibbs-White will play again this season. "I don't know about Ola (Aina). Callum (Hudson-Odoi) has finished the season, I don't know about Murillo. In the end, I need Friday."

The injury crisis is taking a toll on the squad depth. Pereira highlighted the bench against Villa as a clear sign of the struggles: "We brought three players in condition to play—Lorenzo Lucca, Dilane Bakwa, and Ryan Yates—and three players injured without conditions to help the team. Three boys from the academy and Murillo with a risk to play, who's not yet ready. I have the day to understand the situation."

With a crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle on Sunday, Forest are desperate to secure their top-flight status. Pereira knows the mental recovery is just as important as the physical. "It's difficult, but it's difficult on Thursday. Friday is another day. But we need to compete against Newcastle, a very important game in the battle of relegation, and especially mentally, we need to come back."

As the season reaches its climax, Forest fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for their key players—and a bit of luck to keep the dream alive.