The Welsh international is nursing a cracked rib and will use the recuperation time from that setback to undergo hernia surgery.

Johnson (right): Double injury blow

Forest boss Dave Bassett said: "It's not ideal but Andy would have had to have the hernia done some time.

"It may as well be now while he is injured with his rib anyway."

The news is a further blow to Forest after their near humiliation by Third Division Cambridge in the Worthington Cup on Tuesday.