Jesse Lingard is the ideal signing to inspire Nottingham Forest to a dream Premier League return. On August 6, a 23-year curse will finally be broken when the Reds make their top-flight comeback against Newcastle United.
A staggering 8,505 days would have passed since Forest’s devastating relegation in April 1999. St James’ Park is the venue for their long-awaited revival, with a homecoming at the City Ground not expected until West Ham arrive the following week.
New arrival Lingard raised eyebrows when he became the Reds’ eighth summer arrival on Thursday. Forest were the only club willing to match his hefty wage demands - understood to be around £200,000-a-week.
Ironically, Newcastle and West Ham were the English clubs believed to be interested in signing the 29-year-old before he opted to join the Tricky Trees.