Former Chelsea defender's Steve Cooper praise bodes well for future of Nottingham Forest loanees

Marc Guehi’s lasting relationship with Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper may give fans hope that he can convince the club’s current loanees to stay on.

Newly-capped England international Guehi has impressed at Crystal Palace this season, but made his name playing under Cooper on loan at Swansea from Chelsea. The centre-back still counts Cooper as his mentor.

If the strength of their relationship is true of Cooper and all loanees, it may help the Reds in their bid to keep the likes of James Garner, Djed Spence, and Keinan Davis at the club. All three have impressed this year during Forest’s march up the table.

Guehi said of Cooper: “He’s had a massive impact. I think he’s a fantastic coach and a great person. He’s definitely someone that has helped me get to the point where I am.

“He really helped develop me as a player and he’s someone that, if I ever need anything, I can call. 100 per cent.”

That included a chat before Guehi stepped out for the Three Lions last month. The 21-year-old said: “We had a little conversation. He was really happy for me. Having someone like that is fantastic.”

Guehi played in all five play-off matches that Swansea featured in under Cooper, who is closing in on a third successive top-six finish. Forest need two wins from five games to guarantee a play-off spot, but they still might fancy their chances of overhauling the seven-point gap to second-placed Bournemouth.