Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter has said that the right opportunity didn’t come up for defender Haydon Roberts to go out on loan during the January transfer window.
The 19-year-old is yet to make his Premier League debut for the club since returning from a successful loan spell with Rochdale last season.
He has been limited to just three appearances in the League Cup this season, leading to Potter admitting that a loan move in the January window was possible for the teenager.
Forest had been linked with an interest in the player back in November, with reports resurfacing during the January window as Steve Cooper looked to add to his squad.
However, despite links with a move away from the AMEX Stadium, Roberts remained at the club beyond last week’s deadline day.
Speaking of the short-term future of the player, Potter has hinted that the right opportunity didn’t come about for all parties.
“It was always about what the right thing for Haydon was. If there had been a loan really good for him then we would have been in a position to consider that, to help him," he said (via SussexLive ).
"He was at a point where he wanted to play games. But he can still do that with the under-23s and he can still do that playing with us and involved in our squads.”
The Brighton boss also said that the late sale of defender Dan Burn, who joined Newcastle United in a £13m deal, didn’t have an impact on the decision.
But Potter did add: "With Dan [Burn] away, there is a bit more of a possibility for him to play with us. Whilst the plan was to loan, it has to be right for him.
"There has to be something that fits for both parties and there wasn't. He is with us now and we are happy with that."
