Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has explained why Jesse Lingard has been absent from his squad of late.
The 30-year-old hasn’t made the last three matchday squads and Cooper has been quizzed on his absence by the club’s official website.
Lingard was a marquee signing during the summer and it’s fair to say that it’s not really worked out for Forest.
He was signed by the owner’s son, Miltiadis Marinakis. However, he’s failed to register a single assist or score a goal in the Premier League.
In fairness to the man who signed on a free transfer, it hasn’t been through a lack of trying. Before the World Cup, he scored during a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and was getting sharper by the game.
MORE FOREST STORIES
Lingard is a good character in the dressing room. It’s gone downhill for him since Forest’s first game back after the World Cup when he was substituted against Manchester United.
On that occasion, he suffered a hamstring strain and since then he’s had a number of niggles to contend with.
Cooper has now provided an update on the man with 32 England caps to his name and he will definitely miss this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa.
He told the club’s official website: “We’re continuing to monitor Jesse who has had some niggles with his Achilles and his knee.”
Cooper has explained why Lingard has been absent and the clock is ticking
The 30-year-old forward is often misunderstood. He’s been through a lot in his life and he’s worked hard during his time at Forest.
He’s found it difficult and who can blame him? For the first time in his whole career, he’s found himself battling it out for a team at the wrong end of the Premier League.
Lingard now faces a race against time. He will be desperate to help Forest in their current plight and his experience could be vital.
Getting fit is his only priority right now and hopefully, he can make himself available to Cooper very soon.