Explained: Why Juan Rafael Fuentes hasn’t featured for Nottingham Forest this season
Juan Rafael Fuentes broke his leg on his Nottingham Forest debut last season and was given a contract extension over the summer to continue his rehabilitation. The 29-year-old has spent the last 13 months recovering from injury and was expected to leave Forest at the end of his contact this summer, but the Reds didn’t announce his departure in their retained list.
Fuentes joined Forest on a free transfer in February 2018 and has made just one appearance in all competitions which came two months after his arrival. The uncapped Spaniard was recruited on a short-term contract that was extended as a result of his injury, but his time at the City Ground may be up.
It’s strange that Forest haven’t clarified Fuentes’ future after announcing which players had been released at the end of the season, but that doesn’t mean the left-back hasn’t left. He just may not have been a contracted player. Aitor Karanka said in 2018 that Forest would help Fuentes in his recovery, but the 29-year-old has been doing most of his rehabilitation in Cordoba, Spain according to his social media.
He’s spent a lot of time in his home country, and it appears unlikely that supporters will see the left-back in 2019/20. Fuentes’ spell at the City Ground was unfortunate, but he should now be fit and ready for a new club this summer.