Nottingham Forest are set to make a big decision on James Ward-Prowse on transfer deadline day with the player struggling for minutes at the City Ground.
It’s been claimed this morning that Forest are sending Ward-Prowse back to West Ham, terminating his season-long loan earlier than expected with the midfielder not even on the bench for the 7-0 win over Brighton.
Ward-Prowse is now heading back to the Hammers where it’s all change at The London Stadium. Julen Lopetegui has departed and Graham Potter is keen to use the player as part of his matchday squad.
The 30-year-old has struggled for minutes since Christmas. He registered an assist against Wolves in January but has made just three substitute appearances in the top-flight since the festive period.
Charlie Austin reacts to James Ward-Prowse leaving Forest
Austin spent a number of years playing alongside Ward-Prowse at Southampton and he is one person who knows the midfielder extremely well.
He’s not overly surprised that things haven’t worked out for him at Forest. As is so often the case with loan deals, these things can be problematic and the Reds are just well-stocked in that area of the pitch.
Austin said on Sky Sports News: “He’s going to go and try and get in the West Ham team. I think it’s nice to see that both clubs have agreed on something so the player can go back. I’m surprised it’s not worked out at Forest for him but sometimes with loans you do get that. Now, he’s going to go back and see this chance at West Ham as a fresh start.”
Austin believes that Ward-Prowse is something misunderstood as nothing more than a dead-ball merchant, believing his game is about so much more than just swinging in deliveries.
He continued: “He was a good teammate and I do highly rate him. He is a dead ball specialist and I think that overshadows some of the play which comes with him. He is a hard-working central midfielder, box to box, great range of passing and his qualities from a dead ball situation speak for itself. We see it week in, week out. But sometimes I think that goes against him a little bit because we don’t see the other side of his game. But listen he is a fantastic player and I am sure something will work out for him when he goes back to West Ham.
“He is a top pro. He has come through Southampton’s academy and pushed on from there. A loan deal can or can’t work out and it hasn’t worked out but he is a good professional and I think he has every chance going back there.”
Ward-Prowse the right player at the wrong time for Forest
Forest have lots of midfield options and ultimately, things just haven’t worked out. Ward-Prowse will leave with the best wishes though and he’s been a positive influence on the squad.
What this does do is free up a space in the squad for a potential incoming deal. Ward-Prowse found himself as the sixth-choice in the middle of the park for Forest and that simply won’t do.
Forest now have a space for a domestic loan now and it remains to be seen if that’s a market that the club will attack before tonight’s transfer deadline.
Ward-Prowse will return to the capital with Forest’s best wishes. He’s never kicked up a fuss about not playing in the team and with the Reds third in the Premier League, it feels right to let him return to West Ham and play some football.
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