Defender Richie Laryea has been backed to take his Nottingham Forest chance, whenever it comes, by one of his former teammates.
The Canada international was one of five signings made by the Reds in the January transfer window. But he has yet to get on the pitch for Steve Cooper’s side.
Laryea has been on the bench on three occasions, against Huddersfield Town and Leicester City in the FA Cup, and away to Blackburn Rovers in the league. He has been up against tough competition to get in the side, though - in a team which has been doing well - and is still awaiting his debut.
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The 27-year-old is also having to adapt to English football, having made the switch from MLS outfit Toronto. And Forest have been keen to ensure he isn’t rushed into action.
Former Toronto teammate Jonathan Osorio has kept in touch with the full-back since his move to the City Ground. He has urged him to keep being patient as he waits for his opportunity.
“I’ve been in touch with him a lot, obviously seeing how he is and how’s it going,” Osorio told Canadian outlet The Parleh. “Obviously, he’s not playing, so it’s tough for him, but at the same time, it was always going to be tough.
“I haven’t personally experienced it, but from hearing from others who have, moving in the January window is very tough, and in his situation very tough because the team was doing well. The team was in a good way, and people are kind of making it a big thing because you don’t even see him in the line-up, but if you see the line-up, the coach sees him as a wing-back and he doesn’t bring wing-backs on the bench - any.
“It’s a tough situation, but he has to be patient. He just got there and he will have his chance, and I know when he has his chance, he will take his opportunity. I talk to him every day and he’s going to be fine.”
Cooper said shortly after Laryea’s arrival: “He’s had to work hard to forge a good career and he sees this as a next step. He comes here hungry to impress and hungry to improve us.
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“Of course it’s a little bit different, with him coming from outside of Europe, and that he hasn’t played loads of games recently. Our job is to get him up to speed as quickly as possible.”
