Nottingham Forest have been given a pre-season boost as last summer’s signing Omar Richards has been spotted taking part in training ahead of the new season.
The left-back joined Forest from Bayern Munich this time last year, with the Reds paying £10 million for the defender. He however has failed to make his debut for the club due to injury.
A hairline fracture in his leg during the summer saw him miss the entire season with the 25-year-old suffering a set-back in December when it was hoped that he would return to training. He was then left out of the 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of the season, meaning that he wouldn’t have been able to make his debut, even if he was fit.
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This week has seen the Forest squad return to training as pre-season starts. And the inclusion of Richards in pictures shared by the club suggest that he has recovered in time to take part in pre-season.
That suggests that he could potentially be available for the opening Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 12 August (12:30 kick off). Before that Richards could prove his fitness in pre-season games against Notts County (Sat 15, July), Valencia (Tuesday 18 July), Levante (Sat 22 July), PSV (Sun 30 July), Rennes (Wednesday 2 August) and Eintracht Frankfurt (Sat 5 August).
Upon spotting the pictures of Richards back in training, Forest fans took to social media to give their thoughts. Some suggesting that the 25-year-old will be like a new signing this season.
@lwdnffc: feels surreal that we signed him last year. it’s gonna be a huge pre season for him but our LB issues could be solved if he’s fit.
Jack: I’m completely ready for Omar Richards to be our player of the season
Grant: Omar Richards. Like a new player. Just being realistic. I would love him and Biancone to prove they can come back from season long injuries without having played much in the Prem before and show they can step it up for us. Will take a lot mentally and physically.
Carl Aldred: Who is this Omar Richards they speak off #NFFC
Steven Nash: Great to see Omar training. I'm not one for the sarcastic stuff, hope the lad can stay fit and be an integral part of the squad this season #nffc
