Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman could be well rewarded by handing Tyler Walker his senior debut.
Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman could benefit from throwing Tyler Walker into first-team action until the end of the season.
Forest are already planning for next campaign, with a mid-table finish looking the only realistic possibility for the side, and playing Walker, therefore, could be of benefit to the player and the club.
The 18-year-old striker looks one of the Reds’ most talented youngsters, with his form for the development side nothing short of remarkable all campaign.
Walker has hit the back of the net with staggering frequency this season and it is time that he had the chance do it for the senior squad.
Forest are under little pressure and there has hardly ever been a better time for the squad to try and expose some of their more promising youngsters to senior football.
Freedman has already given Oliver Burke a chance in his line-up, whilst Ben Osborn and Jorge Grant have received regular action this season.
It could be that Walker is next in line to receive a senior call-up, with Forest’s strike options looking limited.
Following an injury to Britt Assombalonga, the Reds are relying on Matty Fryatt, Dexter Blackstock and Lars Veldwijk to score the bulk of their goals, but none of the trio have been prolific this season.
It means that Walker’s inclusion, even if needs time to adapt to football at Championship level, wouldn’t be too detrimental on the side’s goal-scoring threat and it looks a wonderful opportunity for the club to take advantage of.
Quoted by the Nottingham Post, Freedman said soon after taking over that he wanted to utilise the club’s academy system during his time in charge at the City Ground and giving Walker his chance could be further evidence that he will stick to his word.
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