Forest coach Cooper dispels Dennis exit rumours

Nottingham Forest coach, Steve Cooper, has dismissed speculation linking Emmanuel Dennis with a move away from Nottingham Forest this month.

The 25-year-old striker’s future has been thrown into doubt as the Reds look to do business during the transfer window. Forest are keen to make signings, but to do so will require players to make a way in order to accommodate new arrivals into the 25-man Premier League squad.

Dennis has largely been restricted to a substitute role since making the switch to the City Ground from Watford in the summer. A few months on from putting pen to paper, he is said to be facing the axe, with reports Forest have received proposals from a club in America and a team in Saudi Arabia.

The situation is complicated by the fact Dennis has already played for the Reds and the Hornets this term. He would be limited to either returning to Watford or heading to an overseas league where the season does not run parallel to that of the Premier League.

“I am aware of that, but not where it has come from and why,” Cooper said of Dennis purported exit from Nottingham Forest.

“We have got attacking options, but not loads of numbers.

“What’s been speculated isn’t true. If things change in the next few weeks with any of these boys, anything can happen. But at this moment in time, I am not sure why that was reported.”

Asked if Dennis still has a future at the club, Cooper said, “All of the players do. We have a settled group. We would like to improve and make changes, and if we do, great. If we don’t, we carry on with our work.

“But that is just normal transfer behaviour and process. We will see where we are at the end of the window.”

Dennis was an unused substitute as the Reds claimed their first away win of the Premier League season on Wednesday night by beating Southampton 1-0. But the forward will hope to be involved in Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Blackpool.

“Maybe,” Cooper said, when asked if Dennis could get some minutes at Bloomfield Road. “It’s an opportunity for a few players.

“If you look at the last cup game, against Spurs, we made a lot of changes and some players really took that opportunity. We took that into the Crystal Palace team selection, which was a bit of an impulsive decision, if you like, but what it does show – and what I will be telling the players – is that every game is equally important, in terms of performance and assessing individuals.

“When you play for this football club, every game is an opportunity and important to do well in. Whoever we select, I expect 100 percent commitment and high performance levels. We won’t accept anything less than that. If Dennis is involved and plays, then, like everybody else, we expect him to do well.”