Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall is now a very strong target for Championship outfit Middlesbrough in January.
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 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.
According to The Sun, Boro want Worrall on a loan-to-buy deal and they could make their move when the window reopens.
Forest star Worrall hasn’t been in a matchday squad since October and now appears to be on borrowed time at the City Ground.
He was once again sidelined on Friday night as the Reds lost 2-0 to Tottenham on Trentside.
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.
For the last two weeks, he’s not got a look in despite Cooper reverting to his system that deploys three central defenders.
Worrall has only made six appearances this season and five of those came in the first five 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.
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