Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has paid a heartfelt tribute to his mother Helen, who passed away this week. The 23-year-old missed Forest's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Porto on Thursday, with the club announcing the news before kick-off.
A club statement read: 'Everyone at Nottingham Forest Football Club extends its deepest condolences to Elliot and his family following this extremely sad news. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the Anderson family at this difficult time.'
Anderson posted a gallery of family photos on social media on Friday with the caption: 'Mum, you are the most special person I could have ever met... You fought so hard for the past year with huge strength and resilience. I am forever grateful for everything you done for our family.'
Morgan Gibbs-White scored the only goal of the second leg to secure a 2-1 aggregate win, celebrating by holding up an Anderson shirt that read 'Family first, we are all with you'. Gibbs-White became emotional in his post-match interview, telling TNT Sports: 'Really emotional night. It's a big shame, he's an incredible kid and no one deserves this but we're all with him.'
Forest's victory sets up a first European semi-final in 42 years, where they will face Premier League side Aston Villa.
