- Worrall and McKenna have been told to report for training at a different time
- Their removal from senior training is not related to any behavioural issues
- This HAS to be the time when players show respect and control. Only the captain should approach referees – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
Nottingham Forest have banished club captain Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna from first-team training.
Both players have been told to train on different pitches, and at a different time from their team-mates.
There has been no official explanation from the club but sources have indicated that their removal is not related to any behavioural issues or rows.
It is understood both can leave when the transfer window opens next month. Worrall, who joined the club 12 years ago aged 14, and McKenna were key players for Cooper in Forest’s 2021-22 Championship promotion campaign and also made regular appearances in the Premier League last season.
However, Worrall has made just six Premier League appearances this season and McKenna has made five.
Nottingham Forest have banished club captain Joe Worrall from first team training
The development comes with head coach Steve Cooper under major pressure to keep his job
Worrall and Scott McKenna had been key players for Cooper in Forest’s promotion campaign
The development comes with Cooper under major pressure to keep his job at the City Ground after a run of one win in 11 matches, culminating in a 5-0 thrashing at Fulham on Wednesday night.
Asked yesterday about how to turn their plight around, Cooper said: ‘If I see anyone sulking, they’ll have to leave the training ground, get in their car and go home.
‘I want it to be a demanding, elite, supporting atmosphere where there’s a determination to take responsibility for the result at Fulham and put it right. If I see anyone hiding or sulking, it’s see you later.’
Cooper is expected to take charge of tomorrow’s clash at Wolves, but another defeat could spell the end for the popular Welsh manager.