Spence still kept waiting
DJED Spence is “happy” at Nottingham Forest, but a question mark remains over what will happen to the full-back next month.
Parent club Middlesbrough hold a recall option for the 21-year-old, who was ineligible to feature against them in the Reds’ 2-0 Boxing Day defeat.
Chris Wilder’s arrival at the Riverside Stadium has changed the picture, with Spence having fallen out of favour under previous boss Neil Warnock.
The right-back is believed to be keen to see out his season-long loan at the City Ground. Wilder has previously referred to a “complicated situation” and Forest head coach Steve Cooper has reiterated the decision is in Boro’s hands.
Asked what he expects to happen in January, he said: “I don’t know. He’s Middlesbrough’s player, of course - like we have players out on loan as well. They are in control.
“At the moment, we’ll be getting ready for Huddersfield in a few days, then Barnsley after that, and then we’ll see.
“I won’t focus on what can and can’t happen, because then I’m not thinking about the team for the next game.
“We like Djed, he’s done well and he seems happy. Until there’s a change in that, we’ll just keep working with him.
“He understands the situation and that not everything is in his control. We know that as well, because that’s what happens when you bring in loan players.”
Spence has become an integral player for the Reds, with the wingback positions key to how Cooper likes to play.
One of the first names on the team sheet, he has made 16 appearances in the Garibaldi and scored once.
But Thursday’s home clash with Huddersfield Town could potentially be the last time he pulls on a Forest shirt, if Boro opt to call him back as soon as the window opens.
“He’s been good. I’m not sure if Djed had played (against Middlesbrough) it would have been a different result, because we’re not about one player,” Cooper added.
“He’s a young player that we like to work with. We’ve got a good individual programme with him, to help him improve - if he does, everyone benefits from that; Nottingham Forest, the player and Middlesbrough.
“That’s just how it is sometimes with loan players.
“He’s really been committed to what we’re trying to do.
“We treat loan players like our own anyway until they leave.
“We’ve been happy with Djed, but everyone knows that anyway.”