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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

Steve Cooper comments on Lewis Grabban's Nottingham Forest contract situation

Head coach Steve Cooper says any thoughts about Nottingham Forest striker Lewis Grabban’s future have been put to one side.

The 34-year-old will be out of contract in the summer, and said back in November that, at that point, talks hadn’t taken place with the club about a new one.

Any uncertainty about what will happen beyond this season doesn’t seem to be affecting him on the pitch, however, with Saturday’s winner at Millwall his 12th goal of the campaign.

And Cooper says the focus is on the present as the Reds look to continue their push up the Championship table.

"We're not thinking about that at the moment. And I'm not sure he is, either,” the Forest boss said of Grabban’s situation.

"We're just really happy with him.

"I think it's really important we just focus with everybody on today. Take each day as it comes, each game as it comes and each training session as it comes. We know we've got to keep building every single day to become what we want to become.

"I'm not looking too far ahead at the moment.

"We're just really pleased with him. And he's really pleased with himself - rightly so.”

Grabban has been in fine form under Cooper, with the Welshman also praising his qualities as skipper.

It is a role the manager places much importance on, and the forward has also been delivering in front of goal.

His last-minute strike at The Den ensured Forest returned to winning ways in the league, following back-to-back defeats.

They had created a host of chances in the capital, but it took until the 91st minute for one to go in.

"Off the pitch, he's a really good captain. He's very experienced,” Cooper said.

"And he's a really good player. I obviously knew he was a good player before I came, but when you see someone up front and you see them every day... He's still a talent.

"He seems to be enthused at the moment and motivated.

"He's not just scoring goals for us at the moment, he's playing well as well. We're really pleased with him.

"He's not on his own; we've got some good attacking players. You saw our centre-backs stepping in, getting into areas where they can make final passes; you see our wing-backs getting on the march, getting round the back - that's the team we want to be.

"We want to play with balance as well, and good positioning, but we want to get bodies up the pitch so we can do what we did (at Millwall) and create a load of chances.

"I know Brice (Samba) has made some excellent saves. But if somebody had said we were going to come here and create as many chances as we did, and the type of chances, then you would have taken it all day long - and probably expected to score more than one. But one was enough, and we're happy with that."

Would you offer Grabban a new deal? Have your say in the comments below

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