Nottingham Forest have allowed Carl Jenkinson to leave the City Ground after failing to make a single appearance in a matchday squad this season.
The club’s official website has confirmed that the 29-year-old has signed for Melbourne City on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Jenkinson hasn’t made a single appearance for Forest since the FA Cup Fourth Round defeat to Swansea during the 2020/21 campaign.
Forest were battered 5-1 on that occasion and Chris Hughton chose not to utilise him in his team again. That notion extended to this campaign, with the player banished from the first-team fold completely.
Jenkinson arrived at Forest from Arsenal in 2019. He managed just 15 appearances for the club, with injuries and better options robbing him of a run in the team on a regular basis.
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This move seems to suit all parties. The Reds have options at right-back, with Djed Spence, Richie Laryea and Mohamed Drager all competing for a place in the team.
Jenkinson clearly hasn’t impressed Steve Cooper sufficiently. He’s never really looked like getting a sniff in the team and this looks like an attractive move for him.
Positive: Jenkinson departure is good work by Forest
This is a really positive step by the Reds. Getting a chunk of Jenkinson’s £27,000-a-week wage could allow for Forest to complete a few more signings between now and the end of the window. If not, it certainly helps balance the books.
Jenkinson hasn’t really worked out at Forest. He’s largely been underwhelming and his injury issues have come back to haunt him once more.
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Melbourne are managed by former Leicester defender Patrick Kisnorbo and he should get the chance to play plenty of football over in Australia.
Forest still have a few more to get off the wage bill. This, however, is a positive step in the right direction by the people behind the scenes at the City Ground.