Here’s the latest Nottingham Forest news on Friday, July 29, 2022.
City Ground redevelopment plans approved
Nottingham Forest have been given the green light for their City Ground redevelopment plans, on a momentous day for the club.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s planning committee met today to consider the application to transform the Reds’ stadium. And in what is a landmark decision for Forest, the project was given approval.
The Reds’ intention to update their ground and increase capacity was first announced in 2019. Work had been due to begin the following summer, with the aim of a 15-month completion, but that was put on hold due to delays in the planning process.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest issue statement as major City Ground decision made
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest fans send message after redevelopment plans approval
When Jesse Lingard could make his debut
Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper is "sure" that summer signing Jesse Lingard will feature against Valencia in this weekend's final pre-season friendly at Meadow Lane.
The England international has been training with the Reds since the signing was announced last Thursday but was not involved in matches against Union Berlin or Notts County over the last week. After leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract last month, Lingard has missed much of pre-season due to being without a club for over a fortnight.
With his future now settled ahead of the Premier League season, the 29-year-old has been in fine form at the club's Wilford Lane training ground, according to Cooper . The signing is also said to have offered a timely boost ahead of the big kick-off.
Forest could be affected by Olympiacos plight
Olympiacos - owned by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis - have exited the Champions League early after suffering an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to Maccabi Haifa.
The perennial Greek champions drew the first leg 1-1 in Israel after Forest promotion hero Philip Zinckernagel 's early opener was cancelled out in the 92nd minute by Dolev Haziza. But, in returning to the infamous Karaiskakis Stadium all square, Olympiacos appeared as favourites to advance through the second qualifying round tie.
That script went out of the window inside five minutes as former Queens Park Rangers striker Tjarron Chery opened the scoring. A one-goal advantage persisted until the hour mark, despite one former Reds player Andreas Bouchalakis being replaced by another in Joao Carvalho at half-time, when Frantzdy Pierrot scored a four-minute brace to effectively end the tie. Mohammed Abu Fani added a fourth three minutes from time.
Forest linked with Man City transfer
Nottingham Forest are reportedly one of three Premier League clubs 'showing strong interest' in Manchester City teenager James McAtee.
The 19-year-old began to break into Pep Guardiola 's first team last season, making two cameos as a substitute in the league campaign as well as coming on at half-time of their Champions League round of 16 second leg against Sporting. An attacking midfielder, McAtee also made a combined three appearances across the domestic cup competitions.
After that initial exposure, the Premier League champions are apparently exploring the option of loaning the England under-21 international out within the top-flight this season for what would be a first spell away from the club in his career. City don't want to see McAtee warming someone else's bench, though.
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Breaking - Nottingham Forest receive approval for City Ground redevelopment plans
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