Middlesbrough readying bid for Nottingham Forest player | OneFootball

Middlesbrough could be set to hand a January lifeline to out-of-favour Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall.

That is according to The Sun, who report that Michael Carrick's side are keen to bring the 26-year-old to the Riverside Stadium in January.

As per their report, Boro are keen on an initial loan deal for Worrall in January and are prepared to turn that into a permanent switch if they go on to secure promotion from the Championship this season.

At present, Middlesbrough sit 13th in the Championship standings following their 2-1 victory over Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

Michael Carrick's side are five points adrift of West Brom in sixth, who occupy the final play-off position.

Joe Worrall out of favour at Nottingham Forest

The above link comes after recent reports suggested that Joe Worrall is now firmly out of favour at Nottingham Forest and the City Ground.

Indeed, despite being the club captain, the Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Worrall, along with his defensive colleague Scott McKenna, had been 'banished' from first-team training.

Their report claimed that both players had been told to train on different pitches and at different times to their first-team colleagues, with both said to be available to leave the Midlands club during the January transfer window.

Middlesbrough short after Darragh Lenihan injury news

A move for a central defender in January makes complete sense for Middlesbrough given the recent blow that the club received regarding Darragh Lenihan's injury.

Lenihan has been out of action for Boro since September, but very recently, the player himself confirmed that his injury was perhaps worse than first feared.

Indeed, sharing the following update on social media, Lenihan revealed he was set to miss the rest of the season.

"Road to Recovery begins today after undergoing a successful operation." Lenihan wrote on Instagram.

"Gutted to be missing the rest of the season but I’ll be helping the lads as best I can from afar 🙌🏻."

The above blow leaves Boro with Dael Fry, Paddy McNair, Matt Clarke and Rav van den Berg as central defensive options. However, there are some issues here.

Van den Berg has mainly been deployed at right-back so far, although this has reduced in recent weeks with the return of Anfernee Dijksteel, and Matt Clarke himself is still easing back in after a lengthy lay-off with injury.