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Middlesbrough now want 26-year-old Nottingham Forest star not being picked by Cooper

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Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall has emerged as a target for EFL side Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.

Boss Michael Carrick is keen to strengthen his rearguard and is keen to hand Worrall some regular game time.

The Reds player hasn’t featured at all since coming on for 20 minutes as a substitute against Luton.

On that occasion, Worrall was on the field as Forest relinquished a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with the Hatters.

He was at fault for the second goal scored by Elijah Adebayo and he’s not been seen since.

Worrall now wanted by Middlesbrough

It’s all a bit of a strange situation surrounding Worrall. No sooner than he signed a new long-term contract, the defender could now be on the way out.

Forest Worrall
Photo by Nottingham Forest FC/Nottingham Forest via Getty Images

Forest star Worrall hasn’t been in a matchday squad since October and now appears to be on borrowed time at the City Ground.

The 26-year-old will be bitterly disappointed with how things are going of late and The Sun believes Boro are ready to pounce.

It’s believed that Carrick wants to take the Championship promotion winner on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Worrall needs to leave Forest

Ultimately, the time has come for Worrall to consider leaving Forest and in truth, it would suit all parties.

The player has very rarely looked up to the required standard in the Premier League. Cooper perhaps knows that now.

On Saturday he was left out again, with Felipe taking a place on the bench and playing the second half of the clash.

Worrall has only made six appearances this season and five of those came in the first fives games of the 2023/24 campaign.

The defender has made 223 appearances for the club. Even though he considered Forest his club, he must surely be itching to play regularly.