Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook will not be leaving the City Ground today, despite interest from several Championship clubs. Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam has confirmed this news, amid earlier interest from the second tier.
Stoke were the leading candidate for his signature. They are set to lose Harry Souttar to Leicester and appeared to have identified Cook as the man to replace him in the team.
Other interest did emerge earlier today, however. Promotion hopefuls Blackburn and Luton were both thought to be keen but the Reds now look set to keep hold of Cook.
It does seem strange that he’s not moving out on loan before the deadline. If Forest manage to get Felipe over the line, the 31-year-old will likely be the fifth-choice centre-back on Trentside.
Cook signed for the Reds during last January. The Reds wanted a proven second-tier performer to bolster their chances of making the play-offs and opted to sign Cook from Bournemouth.
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He had won promotion to the Premier League with Bournemouth earlier in his career. Furthermore, the player had helped the Cherries stabilise as a top-flight club.
Cook not leaving Forest on deadline day
The Reds will have a host of defensive options to choose from by 11pm tonight. Felipe will join Joe Worrall, Willy Boly, Scott McKenna and Cook in the squad, with Moussa Niakhate also working his way back to fitness.
Cook has been a reliable performer for the Reds. He’s made 14 appearances in all competitions this season and it has to be said that perhaps he’s not the best option for the Premier League these days.
At the Championship level, however, he’s a quality player. He was influential as Forest won promotion to the Premier League last season and his experience proved vital.
It’s perhaps surprising that the Reds have chosen not to let Cook go out. Still, it’s a decent thing for Forest who will still be able to call upon his experience in the dressing room.