Fulham boss Marco Silva makes Morgan Gibbs-White admission ahead of Forest clash

Fulham boss Marco Silva has admitted that he is pleased that Nottingham Forest will be without Morgan Gibbs-White for Saturday's Premier League clash.

The Cottagers will travel to the City Ground in a positive mood after avoiding defeat in each of their last four league matches.

After beating Leicester City, Fulham went on to play out consecutive 1-1 draws against Ipswich Town and West Ham United before claiming a 3-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend.

Silva's side will now go in search of back-to-back victories, and their hopes of clinching maximum points have been boosted by the fact that Forest will be unable to call upon one of their key players.

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo will have to cope without the services of Gibbs-White following his dismissal against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Gibbs-White was given his marching orders in the 83rd minute of the 2-2 draw after receiving his second yellow card of the contest.

Silva makes Gibbs-White admission

After receiving the second red card of his senior career, the England international will serve a one-match ban, ruling him out of Saturday's Premier League clash.

With Fulham out to end Forest's unbeaten start to the season, Silva has admitted that he is pleased that Gibbs-White will be unavailable this weekend.

"It's not my problem, it's more for Nuno, as you know," Silva told reporters at Thursday's pre-match press conference.

"But I have to be honest, Nuno prefers to play with Gibbs-White. And if you ask me, I prefer to play them without Gibbs-White, it's simple.

"They're a very good side. We'll see who they play in Gibbs-White's position, Elliot Anderson's very good, they have quality out wide with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and they have a striker with a good moment so they can punish any side."

Silva lauds Smith-Rowe's impact

Silva also took time to praise the impact of Fulham's club-record signing Emile Smith Rowe, who has scored two goals and provided one assist in five league matches following his summer arrival from Arsenal.

The Fulham boss said: "He is a talent and different than what we had in the last few seasons. Emile has everything in that position. He didn't play enough in the past few years - that is tough.

"He will get more minutes and there is more to come from him. He is a shy and normal guy. I want him to express himself on the pitch."

Smith Rowe is expected to retain his starting spot for Saturday's contest, and he will try to help Fulham clinch their first away win of the Premier League season.