Nottingham Forest shield fans from Danilo's horrific injury as Nuno Espirito Santo provides update

Nottingham Forest staff formed a shield around Danilo after he suffered a painful leg fracture just minutes into the new Premier League season.

The Brazilian midfielder appeared to break his leg after landing awkwardly in an aerial duel with Antoine Semenyo during the match against Bournemouth at the City Ground.

With Danilo Clearly in severe pain, medical staff from both teams rushed to the scene and play was halted for about five minutes.

Such was the gruesome nature of the injury, Forest flags were used to hide Danilo from public view as players and fans looked on in concern.

The defender was then stretchered off the pitch and the City Ground rose to its feet to give him a standing ovation.

Pitchside report for talkSPORT, former Premier League striker Dean Ashton He said: “It's a horrible thing to see for anyone. The fans, his team-mates, the opposition.

“It seems that Danilo has broken his leg very badly. You just think about all the hope, the joy, the expectation of a new season… and then something like this happens so early in the new season.

“We can only wish him the best. They did the right thing. They covered for him. He would have been in shock.

“From the players' reaction it was clear that it was a serious injury.”

Speaking after the match, Forest manager Nuno Espirit Santo told talkSPORT: “It was a difficult moment.

“He is now in hospital undergoing tests to determine exactly what he has, but we know it is serious.

“We are sad and we hope the best for him, not only on the pitch but also around the field of play.

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“I think the medical team did well to protect him because I think he broke his leg.

“You can see it in the reactions not only of our players but also of the Bournemouth players.”

Danilo joined Nottingham Forest in January 2023 for a fee of £16m from Palmeiras.

Since his arrival, he has made 50 appearances and scored four goals in the process.

Although he is now a Premier League star, Danilo told talkSPORT.com Last year he considered quitting football at the age of 15 when he was released by Bahia, a club that is part of the City Football Group.

Danilo said: “I am very happy. Speaking of giving up, it was just a personal stage in childhood where I thought about giving up, but I am very happy that I persisted.

“I am grateful to my parents, my family and other people around me, including my coaches at the football academy.”

Despite worrying scenes on the pitch at the City Ground, Forest managed to refocus soon after and take the lead.

Chris Wood scored the goal, reacting quickly to a loose ball in the box to score and put the hosts 1-0 up against Bournemouth.

However, the lead lasted just nine minutes when Dango Ouattara equalised for the Cherries, but his goal was ruled out by VAR.

But Semenyo eventually equalised after 86 minutes to leave the score at 1-1 with just a few minutes remaining.