{"id":572622,"date":"2020-11-19T09:01:08","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T14:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=572622"},"modified":"2020-11-19T09:02:52","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T14:02:52","slug":"joe-worrall-sets-december-target-for-nottingham-forest-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/19\/joe-worrall-sets-december-target-for-nottingham-forest-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Worrall Sets December Target for Nottingham Forest Return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nottingham Forest<\/a> defender Joe Worrall<\/a> has revealed he is hopeful of returning to action against Reading<\/a> in December.<\/p>\n

December Return Hope for Nottingham Forest Defender Joe Worrall<\/h2>\n

‘That Is My Target – December 5’<\/h3>\n

The 23-year-old has been absent from Forest’s matchday squad since a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City<\/a> in mid-September.<\/p>\n

Discussing how an awkward fall ended up breaking a bone in his foot, Worrall explained that it happened with just ten minutes to go.<\/p>\n

He continued to go out for a meal with some friends after the game, but ended up going for an MRI scan which found he had broken a bone and would require eight to ten weeks out.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Paul Taylor<\/a> of The Athletic, the central defender revealed a planned date of return.<\/p>\n

He said:<\/a> “The Watford<\/a> game might be a bit too soon. I would be fit to play in that game, injury-wise. But I need to get some training under my belt before I play in a competitive game.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter Watford is a game against Reading. That is the game I have in my mind. That is my target. December 5.”<\/p>\n

Worrall, who was sat in the stands watching Forest’s 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers<\/a> before the international break, has not played a minute since Chris Hughton took over.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old was one of the first names on the team sheet under Sabri Lamouchi<\/a> last season – starting all 46 Championship matches – but has been forced to wait to impress Hughton.<\/p>\n

The Verdict<\/h3>\n

Forest are hardly shy of options at central defence: Tobias Figueiredo<\/a>, Scott McKenna<\/a>, Loic Mbe Soh<\/a> are all viable alternatives to Worrall.<\/p>\n

Soh has found chances harder to come by since Lamouchi’s departure, with McKenna and Figueiredo forming a formidable partnership at the heart of the defence.<\/p>\n

Since McKenna’s summer arrival from Aberdeen, he has made himself a regular starter under Hughton and completed a full 90 minutes in every game under the new boss.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt about Worrall’s ability and, with Figueiredo having produced the occasional nervy performance, his return will be welcomed with open arms by Forest’s bosses.<\/p>\n

But it is important the 23-year-old is not rushed into action too soon, potentially leading to future complications.<\/p>\n

Based on his own comments, however, Worrall is in no rush to force a return and would rather a gradual easing back into the squad.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>