Stan Collymore has warned Ben Brereton about rushing into the Premier League, with the former Nottingham Forest striker admitting that the City Ground is the best place for the youngster now.

A report in the Nottingham Post has quoted Collymore, who has been discussing Brereton’s links to the likes of Liverpool.

Liverpool have been one club linked with the teenager, who has made a positive impression on Forest’s first-team over the last 12 months.

However, Collymore has warned Brereton about rushing his move to the Premier League, he said: “Ben Brereton is a little way off Liverpool yet.

“I went from playing in the Championship with Nottingham Forest and getting promoted to doing well in the Premier League.

“Then, when I knew I could play in the Premier League I made that journey to Liverpool, which is a difficult one to make at any stage of your career.

“I think to make the jump from the Championship to the Premier League, especially now with so many players in Premier League squads at big clubs who are internationals, he would find it very difficult to get a game and if he did he would have to hit the ground running."

Since breaking onto the scene last season, 18-year-old Brereton has made 47 senior appearances for Forest, which has seen him score seven senior goals for the club.

So far this season, Brereton has four goals to his name from his 29 appearances across all competitions, with his last strike coming in the 5-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

Brereton was handed a starting berth by Aitor Karanka against Birmingham City on Saturday, but was replaced by Daryl Murphy at half-time of the 2-1 victory.

Back-to-back victories and a four game unbeaten run has lifted Forest to 43 points and 15th in the Championship.

The Verdict

Brereton has been good since breaking through at Forest, but he has hardly set the world alight at the City Ground in terms of his goalscoring.

The Forest striker is at the age where he can get away with a record of just six league goals, however, if he is to take the step up into the Premier League, you would argue he needs to be posting significantly better numbers.

It is hard not to agree with Collymore, who is speaking from his past experience as a player.

Nottingham Forest fans… Let us know your thoughts!