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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Luke Pawley

Goalkeepers, forgotten men, youngsters - Things we learned from Nottingham Forest training

International breaks always present an opportunity for youngsters to impress at their football clubs.

That is no different at Forest, with a number of first team players away on international duty. This week, six youngsters stepped up into the first team fold as they looked to impress head coach Steve Cooper.

Among the hottest prospects stepping up this week were Fin Back, a 19-year-old right-back, and Billy Fewster, 18, who has been standing out in central midfield for the under-23s.

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Twenty-year-old strikers Julian Larsson and Will Swan also took part, as well as attacking midfielder Ateef Kontate, also 20. Riley Harbottle, a 21-year-old defender was also involved.

Also among the players looking to impress in training this week were Jonathan Panzo and Loic Mbe Soh.

Panzo, 21, joined Forest from French side Dijon back on deadline day in January. The defender, who played under Steve Cooper with England under-17s, is yet to make a first team appearance at the City Ground.

He was joined by fellow defender Loic Mbe Soh, 2020, who joined two years ago from Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman has appeared twice in the Championship. Both men will be looking to take this fortnight as an opportunity to impress Cooper.

But perhaps the biggest opportunity of all presents itself to Brice Samba, who will be desperate to impress Cooper after losing his place to Ethan Horvath in recent weeks.

Horvath is currently away on international duty with the United States, meaning Samba could earn his place back in the side. The 27-year-old has not played for Forest since being sent off at home to Stoke on February 12.

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