Joseph Adrian Worrall – a man with or without a long-term future at Nottingham Forest?
His contractual situation suggests with.
A deal agreed in October 2017 has him tied to the Reds until the summer of 2022.
Planning for the future, with Worrall very much a part of those plans, was the thinking when agreeing fresh terms.
The 22-year-old is, however, currently plying his trade elsewhere.
His is not a case of out of sight, out of mind.
He remains very much in the thoughts of many of those at the City Ground.
It was even suggested during the January transfer window that a loan spell at Rangers could be cut short.
With Forest down to the bare bones at the back, a turn towards a familiar face was mooted.
Advantage
Such talk was quickly shot down once it became apparent that the Reds would have to pay for their own player.
And the window was open.
Martin O’Neill ultimately took advantage of that fact and brought in Yohan Benalouane, Alexander Milosevic and Molla Wague.
The final member of that trio was acquired on a short-term loan.
The others arrived on 18-month deals.
That means they will, in theory, still be around for the 2019-20 campaign.
Which is welcome news given how they have fared on the whole since arriving on Trentside.
There is also Michael Dawson, Tobias Figueiredo and Michael Hefele to be added to the mix, who are all contracted to Forest past the end of the season.
Where does Worrall fit into this picture?
It is fair to say that he has experienced something of a rollercoaster ride during his time in Scotland.
There have been highs, and plenty of praise to accompany those.
Value
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And the odd low, with questions asked of his value and ongoing presence in Steven Gerrard’s side.
The same all or nothing assessments were often made upon breaking through at Forest.
Worrall has, however, offered enough during his time at Ibrox to put himself in contention for a top prize.
He is, alongside Ryan Jent and Nikola Katic, in the running for Rangers’ Young Player of the Year Award.
There is, therefore, a chance that he could head back south this summer with his trophy collection enhanced.
An award-winning centre-back with no obvious role at his parent club.
There are worse dilemmas for Forest.
Even if Worrall is overlooked by Rangers, he remains a defender of obvious potential and one with strong ties to the Reds.
Will that be enough and where will he be plying his trade next season?
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