Nottingham Forest supporters believe that Lewis O'Brien can play a part in Steve Cooper's team next season after he vowed to prove his worth to the club.
The midfielder joined DC United on loan this month after being left out of the Reds' 25-man squad list submitted to the Premier League in February. It meant that he would play no part in the second half of the season after a proposed loan move to Blackburn Rovers fell through on deadline day in January.
The past few months have fuelled speculation that he could leave Forest in the summer transfer window. But O'Brien stated this week that he intends to return to the City Ground and fight for his place in the squad.
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"I’m not going to hold a grudge about what happened in January. I want to go back and prove to Forest and myself what I’m capable of – I feel very strongly about that – because my best is definitely yet to come," he told the i newspaper.
"I believe I can come out of what has been a crazy situation as a better person with some fantastic life experience behind me."
O'Brien's loan spell with the MLS outfit ends in mid-July, at which point he will return to the club for pre-season. Many Forest fans took to our Facebook page to back the 24-year-old to regain his place in the team, no matter which division they are playing in. Here is what some of them had to say:
John Bouri: Love the positivity and really hope he turns into a gem of a signing for next season in the PL or lower.
Form is temporary but class is not as he can play! Give him time. Very unlucky not to be in the 25 man squad this season!
Glen Page: If we do end up going down, Players like Bowler and O'Brien be brilliant for the champ. Let's hope it doesn't come to that obviously.
Lee Revill: Absolutely deserved a place in the squad. Young, ambitious and capable. Why buy him if you're not intending to play him? We should have kept the talent from last year's promotion winning team, added the talent from other Championship teams (like O'Brien, Toffolo, Bowler etc) and played them. And we absolutely need to keep hold of these, because if we drop back down there's going to be a lot of "names" who'll be wanting out!
Maxine Ingram: Should never have been allowed to leave should have been in squad at the start of the season he and Toffolo were our best signings until they got injured.
Jon Peach: Still rate him should have been given more game time and will no doubt come back and prove himself.
KP Patrick: He's been really unlucky. Got injured, and then our home form improved. So couldn't get his way back in the side. But we've struggled to get the ball up the pitch, and he's one of the players better at doing that. Really hope he has a future at the club, wherever we end up.
Jess Croft: 100% should have been in the squad.
Forestforever: Stay strong Lewis you was one of the better players early on and prove the doubters wrong and come back to us stronger with a point to prove.
What did you make of O'Brien's comments? Tell us below...
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