Joe Lolley has been excellent since returning to the Championship with Nottingham Forest but that could stand for nothing if Bakary Sako arrives at the City Ground.
You have to feel for Joe Lolley.
Since he arrived from Huddersfield Town in January, the industrious winger has performed impressively whenever Aitor Karanka has called on him. But that has perhaps been less than he would have liked of late.
Lolley was subbed off at half-time in Forest’s 2-1 defeat to Brentford prior to the international break despite turning the game around in just 15 minutes on the pitch against Birmingham the week before. The 26-year-old clattered home a volley with his first touch and played a starring role as Forest turned a two goal deficit into a draw.
But reports in The Sun (9 September, page 63) suggest that his role in Forest’s team could be under more threat than ever.
It is reported that Forest are hoping to sign another free-agent this week in the shape of former Crystal Palace and Wolves winger Bakary Sako. The 30-year-old is a proven Championship player, having scored 15 goals and grabbed seven assists in his most recent season in the second tier.
And, crucially, his preferred position is on the left-wing – a role Lolley initially made his own at Forest.
So one of the few players who has lived up to his potential under Karanka could be in danger of losing his place.
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