Journalist says £8.5m Nottingham Forest has looked to really impress Nuno Espirito Santo this summer

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Nottingham Forest will be jetting off back home following the conclusion of their trip to Spain on Friday night.

Nuno Espirito Santo tasted defeat for the first time this summer as Forest suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Elche.

It has been a really promising summer so far at Forest with solid work being put in both on and off the pitch.

Evangelos Marinakis has been able to operate quickly in the summer transfer window having already provided Nuno with five signings.

And the Portuguese manager has been able to get some positive performances out of his side.

Having ended the trip to Spain on Friday night, there is one player at the club who has really looked like he’s been trying to impress the manager.

• READ MORE: Journalist says £30m Nottingham Forest player was ‘very impressive’ in defeat vs Elche

Nottingham Forest player impressed again vs Elche

The game against the Spanish outfit on Friday night was Forest’s worst performance of the pre-season so far.

There were a few players who walked away with some credit, but the Reds will be looking to put that one behind them ahead of their return to the City Ground next week.

Pre-season friendlies are mainly seen as an exercise to build match fitness ahead of the new campaign.

But for some players, it is also an opportunity to show their worth to the manager and try to work their way into his plans.

• READ MORE: Anthony Elanga shares what Nuno Espirito Santo is doing in Forest pre-season that’s so tough

One player at Forest who has been doing exactly that is Omar Richards who played his first minutes for the club over the last week.

The left-back has finally been handed minutes in a Forest shirt and scored on his debut in the game against Sunderland.

After the full-time whistle on Friday in the defeat to Elche, journalist Sarah Clapson admitted Richards was a player who had utilised his opportunities in Spain.

“Seems determined to make the most of these friendlies and catch Nuno’s eye,” she said.

“Made some good runs down the left and played a dangerous ball across goal after one.”

What next for Omar Richards at Nottingham Forest?

Nuno couldn’t really ask for much more from the 26-year-old who has just returned from his season-long loan spell with Forest’s sister club Olympiacos.

There could well be a place to compete for at left-back if Richards was to impress Nuno that much over the coming weeks.

Next up is a game against Villarreal at the City Ground where the £8.5m Richards could be handed his first opportunity to show his worth in front of the Forest crowd.

Former Forest player Julian Bennett was left stunned by Richards against Sunderland, it will now be up to Nuno as to whether he has done enough to earn a chance in the upcoming season.