What Nottingham Forest have planned for their academy youngsters this season

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With the Championship season just six weeks away from starting, several of Nottingham Forest’s youngsters are hopeful of leaving a lasting impression on the first-team during pre-season.

It is widely known that Chris Hughton has a big task ahead of him with regard to recruitment at the City Ground; however, several youngsters will be hoping that the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager shows some trust in them and gives them the opportunity to impress within the first-team picture.

Having enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell with Lincoln City, it is no surprise that Brennan Johnson is to be involved with the first team this coming season.

The Welsh attacking midfielder has been credited with interest from several Premier League clubs, including Leeds United and Leicester City, but Hughton is understandably keen to retain his services on Trentside.

Reports have already claimed that Forest bosses have rejected offers from several clubs and it is likely that he will only depart the City Ground if a highly inflated offer is submitted for him – something unlikely to happen in a transfer market still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

Tyrese Fornah is another youngster who has returned to the Midlands and hopes to be involved in Hughton’s master plan.

The 21-year-old central midfielder contributed three assists from 44 appearances in all competitions with Plymouth Argyle whilst on loan last season and believes that his performances in Devon make him worthy of a spot in the first team.

Speaking to The Athletic in May, he said: “I believe in my ability. I believed in my ability to play at this level. I have listened to the coaches here.

“I have tried to take on board everything they have told me every day. I know the next step for me is to play in the Championship, hopefully, but for the staff to have faith in me here, even through bad spells, has helped me no end.

“I have come a long way this season. It has been brilliant. I believe it will make the same difference for me (as it did for the likes of Worrall, Yates and Cash). I don’t hope — I believe it — I am very confident in my own ability.

“I needed this step, I needed to conquer this, and I believe I have. I feel that, in pre-season, I will be ready to take that next opportunity and earn a chance to play in the Championship.

“I am just looking forward to having a short break then going hard in pre-season from the first day, hopefully impressing Chris Hughton.”

Whilst Fornah and Jordan Gabriel have both impressed on loan, the latter winning promotion with Blackpool via the League One play-offs, slotting straight into the first team is unlikely to be an immediate occurance.

The duo have spent the past 12 months playing regular football and gaining valuable experience but will likely be eased slowly into the first-team picture.

A lack of viable options at right-back may, however, play into Gabriel’s hands.

Last season’s regular choice, Cyrus Christie, has returned to parent club Fulham following his loan and Carl Jenkinson has reportedly been told he can find a new club.

Slightly further away from Chris Hughton’s circle of first-team players is the likes of George Shelvey, James Clarridge, Will Swan and Dale Taylor.

Having kept one clean sheet in five youth loan appearances with National League side Wealdstone, a source has told Prost International that 20-year-old shot-stopper Shelvey is to depart the City Ground once again on loan, but to a League Two outfit.

Dale Taylor ended the 2020/21 season with five goals in five matches for the Under-23s. The 18-year-old’s series of impressive showings resulted in a debut call-up to the Ireland Under-23 squad for a friendly against Scotland – he paid back the trust shown in him by providing a goal and assist in a 2-0 victory at the start of June.

A source close to the player has informed Prost International that Taylor is likely to have another 12 months of development with the Under-23s before potentially going on loan to play senior football.

James Clarridge, 17, spent most of the 2020/21 season featuring for the Under-18s and Under-23s – including the FA Youth Cup defeat to Bristol City.

It is clear that he is one for Forest fans to keep an eye on as the Reds offered him a professional contract back in May, but another season at the Nigel Doughty Academy is what his immediate future will most likely include.

Will Swan had a mixed time whilst on loan with Port Vale in League Two. The young forward was limited for playing time due to small injuries but managed to score his first professional goal during his 10 appearances with the Valiants.

Describing Swan’s style of play to Prost International earlier in 2021, former Forest academy coach Chris Cohen said: “He’s a clinical finisher, a lovely footballer as a number nine. He can hold the ball up, he’s strong and quick.

“He’s worked really hard to improve and now he looks like a natural finisher. He’s done a lot of work to look as natural and composed a finisher as he does.”

As with Gabriel and Fornah, boss Chris Hughton will keep an eye on Swan during pre-season but Forest intend to improve their attacking options, therefore adding competition for places.

A decision will be made over whether a loan move is the best option in order to continue his development – an option likely to be explored if his playing time is limited at the City Ground.

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