Could January loan to Forest be best outcome for West Brom and Burke?

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Oliver Burke has yet to assert himself at West Brom following a summer move so would a January loan return to Nottingham Forest be such a bad idea?

Oliver Burke of Scotland walks out for a training session ahead of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying group F match against England.

Oliver Burke has managed just two substitute appearances for West Bromwich Albion since a £15m summer switch from RB Leipzig.

This has been largely due to a problematic hamstring injury that has hampered Burke settling back into life in England and forcing his way into manager Tony Pulis’ plans.

Tony Pulis, manager of West Bromwich Albion, looks on before the Premier League match against Southampton.

“Of course, my aim is to be in the starting XI,” the 20-year-old told the Express and Star. “The injury has held me back a little bit.

“But when I slowly progress and get into it and get used to my team I’m sure I’ll be in there and back to my usual ways and enjoying my football.”

Having progressed through the ranks at Nottingham Forest, Burke scored six goals in 31 appearances for the Championship club before earning a somewhat surprising £13m move to Leipzig in the summer of 2016.

Nottingham Forest fans support their team during the Sky Bet Championship match against Ipswich Town at City Ground.

However, despite the impressive performance of his new club – who finished second behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in 2016/17 – the winger himself struggled, as he told the Scottish Sun earlier this month.

“The last year has been frustrating for me in not having game time and losing my confidence.

“I’ve been a bit down, really. But I feel as if I can pick myself up.”

Time on the sidelines is unlikely to have done Burke’s confidence much good and in Nacer Chadli, James McLean and Matt Phillips the youngster has plenty of competition when he does return.

So, if by January the Scotland international is still struggling for game time, would a loan move back to the City Ground be the best solution for all involved?

Burke is still young and has plenty of time to prove himself at the Hawthorns, but minutes on the pitch is what both he and the Baggies need for that to happen and Forest could welcome back one of their own who has undoubted talent and has impressed for them before.