Former Nottingham Forest defender Kelvin Wilson says the time has come for Joe Worrall to move on for the good of his career.
The club captain has not featured since his ill-fated cameo against Luton Town in October and finds himself well down the pecking order amid reports he no longer trains with the first team. Speaking on Wednesday's Forest Focus podcast, Wilson said the 26-year-old should be looking for regular Premier League football at a club that suits his attributes, which he feels Forest can no longer offer the academy graduate if Steve Cooper reverts to the back four he has used for much of this season.
Wilson said: "If I was in his situation, he's the captain of the football club. I like Joe. He was a young lad when I was there. It was the same with Ryan Yates, they were first year scholars but they would join in with us sometimes. They were hard working, listened and wanted to learn - not like a lot of young players these days.
"He got the rewards by being named captain. If I'm going to be honest, speaking in a football sense not as a friend or ex-teammate, I think he needs to leave. I don't think he's going to play.
"I think the way Forest play, they want to push a bit higher. That doesn't suit Joe. I don't see him playing in a back four.
"I think he can play in the Premier League. He's a good age. He's had good games, but he's not been consistent. That's the case with a lot of Forest players and no shame to him. He can play in the Premier League. He needs the right club, the right style and the right manager. Someone like a Sean Dyche where you play deep because you won't have much possession and you're pretty direct.
"Steve Cooper looks like he wants to have more possession and play higher. I think they need to do that but it doesn't suit Joe. Any team with a high line he's going to struggle unfortunately. He's great in the air and good in the ball, but the modern day defender has to be quick. You've got to counter attacking players these days.
"I wouldn't write him off in the Premier League. No chance."
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