Explained: Why Martin O’Neill has dropped Leo Bonatini from the Nottingham Forest squad

Leo Bonatini has an uncertain future this summer after struggling for playing time at Nottingham Forest in recent weeks. The 25-year-old joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January and had a buying option attached to his contract. However, Forest might avoid turning his loan deal permanent as he’s fallen out of favour under Martin O’Neill.

Paul Taylor of Nottinghamshire Live believes Bonatini may have fallen down the pecking order at the City Ground due to a lack of sharpness. The Brazilian centre-forward had hardly featured for Wolves this season before joining Forest which may have been to his detriment. Taylor thinks other players may have edged their way in ahead of Bonatini while he was building up his match fitness.

The outcast has made just five appearances in all competitions for Forest (158 minutes) and has failed to score or create a goal. Bonatini’s last outing for the Reds came against Hull City on March 9. He’s made the matchday in the following game against Aston Villa (March 13) but hasn’t been picked in the 18 ever since.

With Lewis Grabban, Daryl Murphy and Karim Ansarifard for competition, O’Neill has overlooked the loanee in the last month and may not be considering a permanent signing in July.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article