Exclusive: Nottingham Forest agree defender deal
Nottingham Forest left-back Josh Powell has agreed to join Fleetwood Town, sources have told Football Insider.
The League Two outfit are putting the finishing touches to a loan deal.
Powell, 21, spent the first half of the season on loan at Colchester United, where he made 14 appearances before being recalled on 2 January.
Forest believe he will benefit by going out on another loan for the second half of the season, where he can accumulate first-team experience.
Fleetwood are narrowly outside the top half in League Two, and are one of several sides who will have an eye on making a push for the play-off places in the second half of the season.
Josh Powell set for more gametime in League Two
Nottingham Forest are yet to sign a player in the January window, and their first piece of business now looks likely to be an outgoing, with Powell’s exit seemingly now imminent.
The defender has been on the fringes of the first team squad at the City Ground in recent pre-season campaigns and had already gained experience of playing against senior opposition in the Vertu Trophy in recent years.
His loan with Colchester was his first full exposure to the men’s game, but Forest would undoubtedly have been hoping to see him receive more than just the six league starts that he enjoyed.
Powell hadn’t made a league appearance for Danny Cowley’s side since 4 October prior to his recall, and his parent club will certainly be hoping for him to receive more gametime at Fleetwood.
The Lancashire outfit are lower in the table than Colchester, but still have something to play for just after the halfway mark of the campaign.
Forest have deemed that another spell out on loan will be more beneficial for Powell than a return to youth football, and they will be watching keenly to see how he progresses at Highbury Stadium.
Nottingham Forest given clear Jorgen Strand Larsen encouragement
Football Insider revealed last weekend that Wolves would reluctantly accept a £40million offer for Jorgen Strand Larsen amid interest from Nottingham Forest.
Sean Dyche’s side have identified the Norwegian as the perfect candidate to bolster their attacking options, but will need to make it worthwhile for the Premier League’s bottom club if they are to strike a deal.
Strand Larsen has been in demand throughout what has been a dire campaign for the Black Country outfit, who are prepared to cave in to the interest if their valuation is met in full.
Rob Edwards’ men are clearly already bound for the Championship, and Forest are keen to raid them before the end of the month to ensure that they don’t suffer the same fate.