JESSE LINGARD has been DROPPED from the Nottingham Forest team to face Aston Villa on Monday night.
The ex-Manchester United star, 29, signed for the newly-promoted side this summer.
But along with the rest of the squad, Lingard has failed to make an impression on the top flight this season.
Monday’s 4-0 thumping at Leicester City left Forest rock bottom of the Premier League.
It was their fifth defeat in a row – with just one win from eight matches.
And now things have gone from bad to worse for the former England international.
He has been named on the substitute’s bench for the head-to-head with Steven Gerrard’s side.
Cooper is putting his stamp on things after signing a shock new three-year contract as Forest gaffer.
That is despite the Welshman being among the favourites to be the next Premier League boss to be sacked.
The 42-year-old took over from Chris Hughton last September and led Forest from relegation candidates to Championship play-off winners last season in a superb turnaround.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
After bringing in 23 new players in the transfer window, he has so far struggled to get the East Midlanders firing.
But following crunch talks this week, the club’s top brass – including owner Evangelos Marinakis – have decided Cooper is the man to keep leading the team.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
