West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan has addressed the speculation about reported interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien.
The 24-year-old was a key player under Corberan at Huddersfield before joining the Reds in the summer. It was recently reported that Corberan would be keen on a reunion with the midfielder having been restricted to regular game time this season.
The Baggies are pushing for promotion following a positive turnaround since Corberan's arrival in October. Currently ninth in the Championship and just one point outside of the play-off places, Albion are looking to make valuable additions to their squad to boost their chances of promotion.
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'Fantastic' gesture
Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has praised Nottingham Forest for their "fantastic gesture" following Fin Back's injury setback.
The 20-year-old had been on loan at Carlisle since the summer and was in fine form for the League Two side before picking up a hamstring injury. He has since undergone surgery and is expected to be sidelined for three-to-four months.
Back has since returned to the City Ground to begin his rehabilitation. Simpson revealed Forest will cover his salary while he's injured and his loan at Brunton Park will 'stay open.'
He said: "With Fin, I hope I’m not talking out of line here, but Forest have made an absolutely fantastic gesture to us and said that they will continue doing all his rehab, and we don’t have to pay his salary through the period while he’s injured.
Lingard stance
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says discussions have not been held over what Jesse Lingard’s future might hold as he enters the last six months of his contract.
The 30-year-old penned a one-year deal in the summer, when he joined the Reds as a free agent after leaving Manchester United. After taking time to get going at the City Ground, he had been in fine form before an injury stopped him in his tracks last month.
January is typically a time when clubs make decisions on players who will be out of contract when the season ends, with the window an opportunity to cash in before seeing them walk away for nothing. But Cooper says Lingard’s situation has not come into the equation as Forest plot to strengthen their squad this month with midfielder Danilo expected to become their second January signing after the arrival of Gustavo Scarpa.
“That’s not a discussion we’ve had,” said the Welshman. “But generally this is the time where players who are out of contract are normally spoken about, one way or the other.
Henderson backed
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been backed to quickly get over any disappointment of potentially not being able to play for Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
With the Reds drawn against Henderson’s parent club in the last-four of the competition, written permission would be needed from Manchester United for him to feature. And the suggestions are that is not something Erik ten Hag’s side will consider granting.
The 25-year-old was the hero of the hour on Wednesday night as Wolverhampton Wanderers were seen off in the quarter-finals. He made a trio of big saves during the game and then stopped two spot-kicks during the penalty shootout needed to separate the sides.
He was also unable to play when Forest visited Old Trafford in the league last month. But head coach Steve Cooper says he is a team player who will do his best to support the rest of the squad, regardless of his personal circumstances.
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