Nottingham Forest have banished club captain Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna from first-team training.
Both players have been told to train on different pitches, and at a different time from their team-mates.
There has been no official explanation from the club but sources have indicated that their removal is not related to any behavioural issues or rows.
It is understood both can leave when the transfer window opens next month. Worrall, who joined the club 12 years ago aged 14, and McKenna were key players for Cooper in Forest’s 2021-22 Championship promotion campaign and also made regular appearances in the Premier League last season.
However, Worrall has made just six Premier League appearances this season and McKenna has made five.
The development comes with Cooper under major pressure to keep his job at the City Ground after a run of one win in 11 matches, culminating in a 5-0 thrashing at Fulham on Wednesday night.
Asked yesterday about how to turn their plight around, Cooper said: ‘If I see anyone sulking, they’ll have to leave the training ground, get in their car and go home.
‘I want it to be a demanding, elite, supporting atmosphere where there’s a determination to take responsibility for the result at Fulham and put it right. If I see anyone hiding or sulking, it’s see you later.’
Cooper is expected to take charge of tomorrow’s clash at Wolves, but another defeat could spell the end for the popular Welsh manager.
Read more 2023-12-07T14:59:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd