Blackpool are in talks with Nottingham Forest over the possibility of taking young defender Jordan Gabriel on a season-long loan, according to The Sun (30/08; page 63).
The League One promotion hopefuls are managed by former Liverpool under-23 boss Neil Critchley and he knows a thing or two about nurturing young players.
Gabriel is a product of the club’s youth academy and the right-back has been training with the Sabri Lamouchi’s ranks during pre-season.
Last season the defender spent time on loan with Scunthorpe United, playing nine times for the League Two outfit.
It would seem he is set for a step up this season, with Critchley keen on bolstering his Blackpool ranks with the 21-year-old.
Forest are well-stocked in the right-back department and a loan move would certainly make sense for Gabriel.
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Even if Matty Cash does leave this summer, Forest still have Carl Jenkinson, Tendayi Darikwa and youngster Jayden Richardson who are capable of filling the void.
Gabriel made his Forest debut in a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in the EFL Cup last season and does have a contract on Trentside until 2022.
It could be ideal for him to head out to League One and play frequent first-team football, before coming back to Forest next summer and really pushing for a place in Lamouchi’s team.
NFN Verdict – Gabriel looks promising but loan spell is necessary
For the last few pre-seasons Gabriel has been thrown into training with the first-team and that can only bode well.
The starlet is simply a victim of having players ahead of him at the moment and League One would be a good challenge for him.
Gabriel looked comfortable during the nine games he played for Scunthorpe last season and the chance to play more football would be ideal.
Critchley knows a player when he sees one and he could really help turn Gabriel into a player capable of becoming a first-team regular on Trentside.
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