Nottingham Forest are said to be in talks with Athletic Bilbao over arranging a friendly during the World Cup break.
The Reds have four more fixtures to play before the season pauses for the tournament in Qatar. The campaign will be on hold for a little more than six weeks, resuming after Christmas.
According to Spanish newspaper El Correo, Athletic are trying to “negotiate” playing a match with Forest during that time. It is said the club “maintains open contacts” with the Reds, and if a game does get the go-ahead it would likely take place in the UK.
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Steve Cooper’s side have three Premier League fixtures before the break. They head to Arsenal on Sunday, then host Brentford and Crystal Palace, with a Carabao Cup tie at home to Tottenham Hotspur sandwiched between.
After the World Cup, Forest will resume with a trip to face Manchester United on December 27. Chelsea then visit the City Ground a few days later, on New Year’s Day.
The Reds will hope to find themselves in a better position in the table by the time the Premier League pauses. They are currently propping up the division with nine points from 12 games.
It is incredibly tight, however. Just six points separate Forest from Brighton and Hove Albion in ninth spot.
Cooper’s men will be buoyed by last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool which came amid an electric atmosphere Trentside. Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal ended a run of nine league games without a win.
How many points will Forest pick up before the World Cup break? Have your say in the comments below
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