Former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is set to leave Nottingham Forest after just six months at the club, having been made available for transfer following a furious row with manager Steve Cooper.
The 31-year-old, who left the Reds for Swansea City in a £5m deal in July 2013, joined Forest from Newcastle United in February following seven years at St. James’ Park. However, he made just eight appearances for Forest before falling out with his manager.
Having been left as an unused substitute against Manchester United in April, the England international was said to be angry after being told he would be starting on the bench for the second successive match for Forest’s trip to his former club, Liverpool.
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The Telegraph reported at the time that Shelvey, who had been carrying a slight knock to his calf but was prepared to make himself available in order to play, was ordered to stay at home after furiously confronting Cooper following a team meeting. As a result, he was left out of the matchday squad for the trip to Anfield.
It is believed that Cooper was unhappy with Shelvey’s performances in training the week before and felt he had to take a stand, while the midfielder had not played since a costly mistake against Aston Villa which led to the opening goal in the 2-0 defeat earlier that month. Meanwhile, it was reported that he was unhappy with the 31-year-old’s attitude around the training ground, with the Times claiming it was believed the midfielder's reaction failed to contribute towards good team spirit as Forest look to fight against relegation.
Cooper played down suggestions of a falling-out, however, after Shelvey was again left out of the Forest matchday squad for their clash with Brighton following defeat to Liverpool.
Asked if the former Newcastle United man was left out in midweek because of his behaviour, Cooper said: "And a knock, to be honest. Sometimes things are not exactly what they are and we have to accept that’s the case.
"Everyone is good. We are looking forward. He is really well liked in the dressing room, and we need everybody in the situation we are in and with the injuries we are picking up. There is no ill-feeling in any way, shape or form, regardless of what may or may not have been said.
"We just need everyone to stick together and get behind everybody. That's what we're doing. Jonjo is available. He was carrying a knock last week and there was one or two other things.
"It wasn’t as much of a drama as was said. In some ways it was a normal training ground thing. But it is past us, everybody is good and we are looking forward to going to Brentford. He is 100 per cent available."
Shelvey, who signed a two-and-a-half deal with Forest in January, remained absent from Cooper’s matchday squads from the remainder of the season as they secured Premier League survival. While the former Liverpool midfielder was without a win from his eight outings for the club, victories over Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, and Arsenal in his absence would help clinch survival.
He was also not part of the celebratory dressing-room picture after the win against Arsenal which secured Forest’s top-flight status, despite being present at the City Ground at the time.
Frustrated at his situation, Shelvey is believed to be keen to quit Forest this summer after falling out of favour with Cooper. And the Times report that the management team will not stand in his way, with both parties feeling they would each benefit from a fresh start.
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