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Opinion: Nottingham Forest could sign Aston Villa man to solve right-back problem

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Nottingham Forest are in the market for a right-back to compete with Tendayi Darikwa for a starting place after Saido Janko and Sam Byram returned to FC Porto and West Ham United after their respective loans. Martin O’Neill may not be able to bring the pair back to the City Ground next season, so the Reds may need a cheap and available alternative – Alan Hutton.

The Aston Villa defender made seven appearances for Forest on loan between November 22, 2012 – January 2, 2013 and could be a good temporary option for O’Neill in 2019/20. Hutton is out of contract at Villa Park this summer and may not be handed another extension after falling down the pecking order Dean Smith, so he could be on the move in the coming weeks.

Villa sealed promotion to the Premier League after winning in the Championship playoff final, but top-flight football might be too much for an ageing and out-of-favour Hutton. James Bree and Frederick Guilbert will return to Villa after loan spells away which would be added competition for the Scottish international.

Forest could capitalise on the situation if they’re willing to meet Hutton’s wage demands. Time will tell if they make a move for the 34-year-old.

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.