Nottingham Forest ace forces 'difficult decision' for international manager after World Cup and promotion success

Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson gave Wales manager Robert Page a "difficult decision" after his impressive form for the Reds.

Johnson has scored 19 goals and contributed nine assists in 53 appearances for the Reds this term, proving to be a key asset in Forest's promotion run into the Premier League.

The 21-year-old - who is still in contract negotiations with the club - is one of the hottest prospects in English football currently and is routinely tipped for stardom.

It was perhaps a surprise, therefore, to see the young forward omitted from the starting eleven for Wales' crucial World Cup play-off win over Ukraine. Leeds United's Daniel James was the preferred option for Page, although Johnson came close to scoring in his 19 minute cameo when he smashed a volley against the post.

"We're confident going into games now. We don't hope to qualify for the World Cup or Euros now, we believe we can do it, so there's been a massive change in the mentality as well," Page said after the match (via Wales Online ).

"I had a difficult decision tonight. I've got people like Harry Wilson and Brennan Johnson, who is going to be a superstar, isn't he? You've got people like him who didn't start tonight. But we had our best XI on the pitch.

"It's encouraging, it's good, we're going in the right direction. We need to continue to develop these young players that we have done for the last few years, and it's only going to get better for us."

Wales play their first World Cup game in 64 years when they take on the USA on November 21 in Qatar.