COOPER: NO TIME TO LINGER NOW

BY BRENDAN McLOUGHLIN STEVE COOPER has challenged Jesse Lingard to step up and “show his worth” to help kickstart Nottingham Forest’s season.

The England international (right), 29, was seen as a statement summer signing by Forest after his release by Manchester United.

But he has struggled for form and had to settle for a place on the bench in their last outing – a loss to Fulham.

Boss Cooper said: “We don’t want to see Jesse not starting games. That’s not why he’s here. He doesn’t want that, either. We are ready now to step up in terms of his contributions to games.

“They haven’t been poor – don’t get me wrong – but we know he is a really talented guy. We see that in training.”

While he netted NINE times on loan at West Ham in the second half of the 2020/21 season, he has not scored for more than a year.

Cooper revealed he and the player held a heart-to-heart over Lingard’s slow start.

The Welshman added: “I’ve reminded Jesse that he came shortly before the season started.

“With him missing pre-season, he has done a lot to get where he is at now in physical status.

“We spoke candidly about how it’s, ‘OK, not bad so far’ – but it’s time to really show his worth.

“With this international break, he’s had a chance to take a deep breath and get ready to kick on.”