Academy graduate Mighten tipped for a bigger Reds role
COOPER IMPRESSED BY ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
ALEX Mighten has been backed to play a part for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this coming season.
The 20-year-old attacker found regular game time hard to come by last term, amid injury troubles and competition for places in a winning team.
But Reds head coach Steve Cooper has always been a staunch supporter of the Nigel Doughty Academy graduate, and believes he can contribute at the top level.
Mighten has impressed during Forest’s four summer friendlies so far. Against Coventry City, Burton Albion, Barnsley and Hertha Berlin he has looked lively and made an impact from off the bench.
It has led to some debate about whether a loan move could be beneficial, with Blackpool understood to have enquired before looking at other options. Cooper says the youngster has caught the eye, however.
“He’s really impressed; 100 percent he can play a part,” the Welshman told the Post.
“We’ve been sharing the minutes around and, although he hasn’t started, read nothing into that – we are loading up match minutes with training minutes and getting everyone to a physical level.
“He’s been a real threat when he’s been on the pitch. I’m pleased with him.
“I’m a huge fan of Alex, and long term will not let him down. I didn’t give him enough minutes last year, for obvious reasons, and sometimes he had bad luck with injuries.
“But we have drawn a line under that. He’s come back looking good. And he’s one of us, isn’t he?”
Mighten made 27 appearances in the Reds’ promotion-winning campaign, although only six of those came in the starting 11. He scored his only goal of the season in the 5-1 thumping of Swansea City in April.
■ Nottingham Forest defender Nicholas Ioannou is said to be closing on a return to Italy.
The 26-year-old spent last season on loan with Como 1907 and the Italian outfit are reportedly ready to take him on a permanent deal. It comes after the Reds signed leftback Harry Toffolo from Huddersfield Town on Wednesday, along with midfield team-mate Lewis O’brien, to take their total number of additions so far this summer up to
10. According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, an agreement is “close” between Forest and Como for Ioannou’s move, with confirmation “expected in the coming days”.
The Reds are said to be “ready to hand over” Ioannou, having strengthened in that area of the pitch.
As well as Toffolo, Omar Richards has put pen to paper for Steve Cooper’s squad. But the former Bayern Munich man is facing a spell on the sidelines having suffered a hairline fracture of the leg.
Ioannou was an unused substitute in Forest’s fourth pre-season friendly of the summer. He was the only outfield player not to get minutes on the pitch in a 3-1 victory over Hertha Berlin.
The Cypriot featured in the matches against Coventry City, Burton Albion and Barnsley prior to the midweek game.
He made the switch to the City Ground two years ago from APOEL but went on loan to Aris Thessaloniki the following January.
Cooper has been overseeing an overhaul of the Reds dressing room ahead of his team’s Premier League return next month.
In addition to the 10 new faces, a number of players have headed in the opposite direction, either on loan or on permanent deals.
■ Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury amid talk of a return to Nottingham Forest.
The 24-year-old is currently in Australia with Steven Gerrard’s side. But he has been ruled out of the final match of their pre-season tour against Manchester United on Saturday.
It is expected he will make a full return to fitness ahead of the club’s friendly with Stade Rennais on July 30.