Morgan Gibbs-White (foto: Getty Images)
Morgan Gibbs-White stunned fans with a horrific facial scar and black eyes after returning to Nottingham Forest’s bench days after a collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Morgan Gibbs-White left football fans stunned after appearing on the Nottingham Forest bench with a serious facial injury during the club’s Europa League semi-final defeat against Aston Villa.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder suffered a nasty collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez earlier this week, leaving him with a deep cut across his face.
Despite the frightening injury, Gibbs-White was still included in Forest’s squad for the second leg at Villa Park.
Before kick-off, the England international warmed up wearing a protective mask. However, when television cameras later showed him sitting on the bench without it, supporters were shocked by the extent of the damage.
Gibbs-White appeared with two heavily swollen black eyes, but the most disturbing detail was the large stitched scar stretching from the bridge of his nose across his left eye and forehead.
Forest supporters quickly flooded social media with messages of support.
"Happy for Villa, but I feel so sorry for Gibbs-White man," one fan wrote.
Another supporter added: "That’s brutal news. Hate to see Gibbs-White go down like that, especially right before a massive Europa League semi. Hope it’s not as bad as it looks and he’s back soon."
Others feared the injury might affect his long-term recovery.
"Such a sad sight to see, not even sure he’ll be back for the World Cup with this…" another comment read.
Some supporters also believed Forest badly missed their creative leader during the heavy defeat.
"Missing Gibbs-White means we had no attacking threat. Makeshift defence poor tonight," one fan posted.
Before the match, head coach Vitor Pereira admitted the midfielder was still struggling physically.
"He is in pain, for sure," Pereira said.
Nottingham Forest entered the second leg with a 1:0 advantage after Chris Wood scored the winning penalty in the first match.
But the return game turned into a nightmare.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring before Emi Buendia doubled Villa’s lead from the penalty spot. John McGinn then scored twice in three minutes to complete a crushing 4:0 victory.
Aston Villa will now face Freiburg in the Europa League final on May 20, while Forest must quickly refocus on the Premier League survival battle.
Pereira’s side still face crucial matches against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Bournemouth.