Both sustained knee injuries in a 4-0 third-round loss to Brighton, with Forson one of five changes from the last league comeback against Coventry. “We changed half the team and we also did some changes in half-time, where we wanted to see some of the players that have probably not played so many minutes so far this season,” Thorup told reporters. “So, with all due respect to the FA Cup, which is a magnificent competition, I find it difficult to believe that we can win it.

“It was more important for us to see where we are as a group, as a team, where the individual players are, and what we can expect from them over the course of the season. And I believe we got some answers. “Forson had a knock to his knee. I think it was actually the beginning of the game, and he tried to play, but it was too much at half-time, so no risk with him. We have to assess him further and see how it is. “Callum (knee) was a little bit of the same. He also had a knock in the first half, but could have played if we decided to do that, but we went with low risk.”

Forson’s match-winning stoppage time brace against the Sky Blues earned him his first start since November 30. “It was okay. “I believe we could see the knock to the knee hurt him,” Thorup stated. “He was straining a little just to stay moving, and it was definitely too much for him by the end of the first half. It’s tough to say much more. “We know he’s a threat offensively, and produces great moments, he was close to scoring from distance again, and that would probably have changed the game picture completely.” George Long substituted for Angus Gunn in another change to the City starting lineup, with youngster Archie Mair joining the Scottish Premiership Motherwell on loan and making his debut at Hibs.

Thorup believes that bringing back Vinnie Reyes is best for the goalkeeping group. The goalkeeper coach, Tony Roberts, believes that Archie should be given consistent playing time and game minutes, while Vinnie should be brought back to ensure the group has three goalkeepers.

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