However Nottingham Forest’s season ends, one thing appears certain: there is little chance of former Manchester United and England man Jesse Lingard extending his stay at the City Ground.
He was made Forest’s top earner on about £120,000 a week when he signed a one-year deal last summer but the last of his 14 starts was against Tottenham on March 11 and he was on the bench for all but the final three minutes here.
Lingard was supposed to provide the star quality and experience to ensure Forest did not end up in a relegation fight.