Murray move is unlikely for now
Garner signs off in style but it ends in defeat
CHRIS Hughton dropped a strong hint that a new Nottingham Forest deal will not be offered to striker Glenn Murray this summer – at least initially.
The 37-year-old penned a short-term contract when he joined the Reds in January, after spending the first half of the season on loan with Watford from Brighton & Hove Albion.
He made his 16th appearance in the Garibaldi when he came off the bench in a final day defeat to Preston North End and spent several minutes after the final whistle walking around the City Ground pitch by himself.
It remains to be seen whether Murray opts to hang up his boots after a long career in the game, with Hughton suggesting that decision has not yet been made.
But with the Forest manager looking to bolster his forward ranks before next season, he hinted other options would be considered first ahead of seeing where Murray stands.
“What he’s definitely saying a farewell to here is an enjoyable period that he’s had,” said Hughton, when quizzed on Murray’s post-match body language.
“He started here with some games. He probably hasn’t played as much in the last couple of months as he maybe would have liked.
“But he was really pleased to come and really pleased that he did come.
“He came from Watford, where he wasn’t involved at all. For him, just to get back on the training pitch and having an involvement
in games was a big thing.
“What he will do from now, I don’t know.
“Certainly, he’s still got enough if he wants to carry on, because he’s a very fit lad and is a good trainer. He’s been fortunate in the last 10 years with injuries.
“I think he’ll probably have a good think over a period of time.”
Asked whether that implies the Reds will not pursue a deal with the front man, Hughton added: “In all honesty, I don’t know.
“What we have to look at is what options we have. I don’t think it would be unfair to speak about Glenn that way, that we have to look at younger options and other options.
“But you never know - the exact same way that we took Glenn very late in the January window, if he still wants to play and we’re in a position, or somebody is in a position (to sign him).
“But at the moment, we have to look at the best options we can.”
Hughton referred to an “uncomfortable summer” ahead as he looks to transform a squad which finished 17th into one capable of pushing for promotion.
There will be incomings and outgoings over the next few months, with Murray one of several players out of contract, while a number of new signings are being targeted.
“It will be a hard summer and a busy summer,” said Hughton.
“The uncomfortable bit, always, is probably 95 per cent of the work we do in the summer - the calls you make and the videos you look at generally doesn’t come to anything.
“It’s that work-to-success ratio that you have to do.
“Providing, come pre-season or the start of the season, we’re happy with what we’ve got, then all of that work has been worthwhile.
“But I think it will be a difficult summer. The circumstances are different for a lot of players.”