Nottingham Forest were linked with Queens Park Rangers’ left-back Jake Bidwell in the summer – a player Mark Warburton knows from Brentford.
Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton has told the Nottingham Post that he would have ‘no qualms’ about playing Ben Osborn at left-back over the next few weeks.
With Forest light at the back due to a series of injuries, the versatile academy graduate slotted into the back four during Saturday’s defeat to Bristol City. And while Forest could not overturn their two-goal half-time deficit, Osborn helped spark a much improved second 45 from Warburton’s visitors at Ashton Gate.
And Warburton has suggested that Osborn, an attacking midfielder by trade, may find himself in that unfamiliar role once again with a clash against Preston coming up at the weekend, per the Nottingham Post.
Though it may be a stretch to suggest that the 22-year-old, who has been fielded in a vast variety of positions under the former Rangers manager, is a long-term solution in Forest’s problem position.
Fortunately, the January transfer window is less than two weeks away – giving the East Midland giants the perfect opportunity to sign a natural left-back to compensate for the absences of Danny Fox and Armand Traore.
According to The Times, Forest were interested in QPR’s Jake Bidwell over the summer and now could be the perfect time to renew their interest.
Bidwell is one of the standout left-backs in the Championship and has been a rare shining light in another underwhelming season at Loftus Road. Warburton knows the former Everton youngster well, too, having kick-started his career during their time together at Brentford.
And a reunion in January would be perfectly timed – at least to save Osborn from having to adapt to another new position.
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