Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says discussions have not been held over what Jesse Lingard’s future might hold as he enters the last six months of his contract.
The 30-year-old penned a one-year deal in the summer, when he joined the Reds as a free agent after leaving Manchester United. After taking time to get going at the City Ground, he had been in fine form before an injury stopped him in his tracks last month.
January is typically a time when clubs make decisions on players who will be out of contract when the season ends, with the window an opportunity to cash in before seeing them walk away for nothing. But Cooper says Lingard’s situation has not come into the equation as Forest plot to strengthen their squad this month with midfielder Danilo expected to become their second January signing after the arrival of Gustavo Scarpa.
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“That’s not a discussion we’ve had,” said the Welshman. “But generally this is the time where players who are out of contract are normally spoken about, one way or the other.
“All I know is Jesse is not completely happy at the moment because he’s not fit, but I do see a really positive, good guy around the training ground. You should have seen him on Wednesday night in the changing room.
“We’re enjoying Jesse. I wish he was fit and contributing. He’s not but he’s still very visible.”
Lingard is midway through a month-long lay-off, having been forced off with a hamstring problem in the 3-0 defeat to his former club at Old Trafford. He recently posted a message on social media, alongside a picture of himself in action for Forest, saying: “Miss this. Soon back stronger.”
And while sidelined, he has continued to be a big presence around the club, including watching his teammates in action either from the sidelines or via a live stream. He was at the heart of the celebrations on Wednesday night as Cooper’s men progressed to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The attacker has made 16 appearances in the Garibaldi so far, with all but three coming as part of the starting XI. He has found the net twice, against Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers, with both goals coming in the League Cup.
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