HUGHTON: MY WORRAL’S NO AVERAGE JOE

NOTTINGHAM FOREST boss Chris Hughton is confident star defender Joe Worrall won’t move this transfer window.

Burnley’s new ownership is ready with a £10million bid for the centre-half (above), who has been outstanding since his return from injury.

Alongside Scotland international Scott McKenna, Worrall helped defy Cardiff’s attempts to stay in the Cup.

Lyle Taylor put Forest ahead in three minutes and the Bluebirds spent most of the rest of the tie in charge but were unable to break down Worrall & Co.

The defeat, Cardiff’s fourth on the spin, puts manager Neil Harris’s job on the line for the second time this season, while Hughton is reviving Forest based on a strong defence.

“Worrall has missed a chunk of the season and McKenna was good before he picked up an injury,” Hughton said.

“But that’s the first time they have played together and we needed them.

“You get used to clubs coming in with bids when you’ve got good players. Welcome or not, you can’t do anything about it.

“Worrall is a good player. For a young man he’s a leader type and has put in a lot of good performances for this club.”

Harris, having survived one job scare in November, hopes he gets the chance to improve his side.

“It’s a big week for us with Norwich on Saturday,“he said.

“After four defeats in a row it’s backs to the wall, but we have to come out fighting.

”I won’t paper over the cracks. There’s still work to be done.”

Smith 6, Jenkinson 6, Worrall 9, McKenna 8, Bong 7, Cafu 6, Arter 6 (Sow 84), Lolley 6, Guerrero 5 (Yates 66, 5), Ameobi 6 (Mighten 59, 6), Taylor 7 CARDIFF CITY: Phillips 6, Bacuna 6, Nelson 7, Bennett 7, Bagan 6, Pack 7 (M Wilson 83), H Wilson 7, Vaulks 6 (Hoilett 63, 5), Ralls 6, Murphy 6 (Ojo 78), Glatzer 6

REFEREE: David Webb

NOTTINGHAM FOREST:

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