MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE debuted a shock new scar from the bench as Nottingham Forest lost 4-0 to Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
The attacking midfielder, 26, was injured after a nasty collision with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez on Monday.
Morgan Gibbs-White was sidelined from the Europa League semi-finals with a nasty scar Credit: Getty
Aston Villa beat Forest 4-1 on aggregate to progress to the final Credit: PA
Both players were eventually substituted in the 66th minute with equally bandaged heads.
Nonetheless, the Forest talisman was just above the bridge of his nose and across his forehead.
While Gibbs-White showed off a new mask during the warm-up, he did not come on.
As he sat on the Forest bench with his team who failed to secure a place in the final, Gibbs-White was broadcast with two black eyes and a battle wound emblazoned on his face.
When asked about Gibbs-White’s condition in the pre-match press conference, head coach Vitor Pereira said: “He is in pain, for sure.”
Fans rushed to social media to credit the England international.
One fan wrote: “Happy for Villa, but I feel so sorry for Gibbs-White man.”
Another said: “That’s brutal news. Hate to see Gibbs-White go down like that, especially right before a massive semi. Hope it’s not as bad as it looks and he’s back soon.”
Gibbs-White’s situation is being monitored by boss Vitor Pereira Credit: Getty
Someone else said: “Such a sad sight to see, not even sure he’ll be back for the World Cup with this…”
Other fans said the Forest loss was because Gibbs-White was unavailable.
One even quipped: “Missing Gibbs-White means we had no attacking threat. Makeshift defence poor tonight.”
Forest went into the Europa League semi-final one goal up after Chris Wood converted his spot-kick to leave the first leg 1-0.
But this time round was a different story.
netted in the first half before Emi Buendia doubled the lead after being awarded a penalty.
It was who stole the show in the last 15 minutes, scoring two in three minutes.
Villa will now face Bundesliga side Freiburg on May 20, and Forest will turn their attention back towards Premier League safety.
Pereira’s team are due to host Newcastle before playing Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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