Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton has ruled Sammy Ameobi out of Saturday’s season-ending game with Preston.
The 29-year-old could have played his last game for the Reds, with his contract set to expire this summer.
Although the winger is back in training, it seems as though he won’t be risked on Saturday with Preston North End due on Trentside.
It ends a disappointing campaign for the ex-Bolton star who now faces an anxious wait over his future at the club.
Ameobi has scored three goals and registered two assists during 2020/21 and has failed to replicate his form from last season.
Hughton was quizzed on the winger ahead of this weekend’s game and delivered a definitive verdict.
He told the club’s official website: “Sammy is fine now but he hasn’t done enough going into the last game of the season.
“Even though he’s back on the training pitch, what we wouldn’t want to do is risk it, having not done enough coming into the game.”
Ameobi has played 81 times for the Reds during his two-year stint at the City Ground.
He has enjoyed moments of magic and frustrating periods of inconsistency.
One thing that can’t be thrown at Ameobi, however, is a lack of effort and even during the bad times of this season, he’s always given his all.
Does Ameobi deserve an extension?
It’s not really down to whether or not he deserves one but more if it’s right for the football club at this moment in time.
At 29, Ameobi doesn’t represent a long-term option and with Brennan Johnson returning, competition for wide places will be fierce.
Forest have a sizeable squad and it’s fair to say that very few players have done much to warrant a new deal during 2020/21.
That includes Ameobi and perhaps it’s best for all parties if he is released following Saturday’s game.
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