Evangelos Marinakis has said he is ready to extend boss Steve Cooper’s contract as Nottingham Forest prepare for life in the Premier League.
Cooper has succeeded where many other Reds managers before him have fallen short, in guiding the club back to the top-flight, ending a 23-year absence. His achievement is all the more remarkable given he walked into a dressing room which was at rock-bottom, both in morale and the team’s position in the league table.
The Welshman penned a two-year deal when he arrived at the City Ground last September. But Marinakis’ “top priority” now is said to be to reward Cooper and his coaching staff after victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley.
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Lowe stance
Sheffield United are under “no pressure” to sell Max Lowe this summer, after his Nottingham Forest spell.
The defender has made no secret of his wish to remain at the City Ground, having spent the season on loan at the club. But Blades CEO Stephen Bettis has hinted a bid was rejected from the Reds in the January transfer window, and says boss Paul Heckingbottom will be given time to assess his options.
Lowe made his comeback from injury in Sunday’s promotion decider against Huddersfield Town. After being sidelined since March, he came off the bench for the final 15 minutes as Forest sealed their return to the Premier League with a 1-0 win.
On Lowe’s future, Bettis told YorkshireLive: "It's up to Paul. We have three players in that position.
Surridge surgery
Striker Sam Surridge has undergone a groin operation, following the completion of Nottingham Forest’s promotion-winning season.
The 23-year-old has been a key figure for the Reds since his January deadline day move from Stoke City. He has made 23 appearances in the Garibaldi, bagging eight goals - including a hat-trick against Swansea City.
He came off the bench in Sunday’s play-off final against Huddersfield Town, replacing Keinan Davis with 66 minutes gone, as Steve Cooper’s side triumphed 1-0 at Wembley. But the forward missed the celebrations in the city’s Old Market Square the following day.
Surridge has since posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed on Instagram. And he wrote: “Thankyou everyone for there nice messages means a lot. I had to have an operation on a groin issue that has been hanging round for a while but I’m 100% now and resting up ready for a magical season next year.
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Transfer talk
Watford are said to have placed a £2m price tag on the head of Nottingham Forest loanee Philip Zinckernagel.
But it seems the Dane’s future is unclear, after he helped the Reds secure promotion to the Premier League. And it may be some time before his parent club outline their plans for the midfielder.
Zinckernagel has spent the season on loan at the City Ground, becoming key to the way the team have played under head coach Steve Cooper. He capped off a fine campaign with a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley on Sunday which ended Forest’s 23-year exile from the top-flight.
Making the step up means a big summer transfer window for Cooper, as he looks to put together a squad capable of surviving at the next level. Trying to keep the majority of this year’s group together will likely be part of that.
