Nottingham Forest’s contract stance on key man revealed amid West Ham and Everton interest

Nottingham Forest have not yet engaged in discussions over a new contract for centre-back Joe Worrall despite interest from the Premier League, according to manager Steve Cooper who spoke to Nottinghamshire Live.

Shining alongside Steve Cook and Scott McKenna against this term, interest in his signature has only grown with Southampton and other top-tier sides thought to have been in the running for him last summer.

Helping his side to concede just 45 goals in 46 league games last term, his contribution arguably played a huge part in helping Forest steer clear from any relegation danger with their previously-toothless attack stalling their progress under former boss Chris Hughton.

West Ham United and Everton are the latest top-flight sides to register their interest in the 24-year-old, who has deep-rooted connections with Forest after being born in the East Midlands and graduating through the second-tier club’s youth system.

A move could be on the cards though if Worrall is tempted by the prospect of Premier League football, though interested teams would need to fork out a considerable fee for his services with his contract not running out until 2024.

They may want to move to extend his contract beyond then to fend off interest from others – but Cooper has confirmed no further talks have taken place on that just yet.

He said: “There are other boys on longer-term contracts as well, who are not up for discussion at the moment because they are only a year or so into them – Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna etc.

“But Yatesy (Ryan Yates) is just a good example of good commitment from the club, thinking both short and long-term.

“Short-term, okay, we want to be as competitive as we can and win as many games as possible.

“But