Nottingham Forest midfielder gets valuable minutes ahead of Aston Villa clash

Liam Bridcutt once again featured for the Nottingham Forest u23s on Monday, playing a full 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw with Colchester – Jamie Ward and Sam Byram were also in the side. The 29-year-old is working hard to get himself back into the first-team, but he’s so far been ignored by Martin O’Neill.

Claudio Yacob has been unable to make the matchday squad and he’s ahead of Bridcutt in the pecking order. Ben Watson and Adlene Guedioura were unused substitutes in Forest’s 3-0 win over Hull City on Saturday, further highlighting how many players are competing for very few positions.

Bridcutt hasn’t made an outing in the first-team since October 30 – against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup. He was bombed out of the Championship matchday squad for good in late-September, having made just one league appearance for his troubles.

O’Neill has been watching the Scotland international playing for the reserves as their captain, but he’s still not been convinced enough to include Bridcutt in his side. And when the likes of Pele can come straight into the starting eleven, it’s clear Bridcutt’s future lies elsewhere.

He’s made 31 appearances for Forest since joining from Leeds United in 2017 and doesn’t look likely to make any more despite his efforts.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article