Assistant manager David Kelly has revealed Dele Adebola played through the pain barrier as Nottingham Forest defeated Mansfield.
The big striker was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up at Field Mill on Wednesday night after making a speedy recovery from an operation to repair a hernia problem that had become infected.
Kelly told the club`s official website: "He has got a gaping wound in his groin area but he was keen to play, not only part of the game but as much as possible.
"With Joel Lynch and Lewis McGugan coming off for precautionary reasons, Dele stayed on and played the full 90 minutes. He will be feeling it."
On the 2-1 win, Kelly added: "We produced a good performance, the young boys stepped up and did very well.
"We built from the back nicely, got good possession in midfield and did well on the flanks."
Source: PA
Source: PA