Former Nottingham Forest player Garry Birtles has delivered his assessment on Nottingham Forest's decision to allow defender Alexander Milosevic to leave the City Ground.

Milosevic arrived at the City Ground in February, and the defender made a positive impact for Nottingham Forest during the second half of the season, making 12 appearances and adding some steel to Forest's defence, whilst even getting on the score sheet in the Reds' 3-0 win against Middlesbrough in April.

However, the 27-year-old found himself frozen out at the start of the season under Sabri Lamouchi, with the Frenchman electing to pair both Michael Dawson and the returning Joe Worrall at the heart of the Reds' defence, whilst both Chema and Tobias Figueiredo have offered cover in defence ahead of Milosevic in the absence of the injured Dawson.

Speaking to the Nottingham Post, Birtles suggested that whilst Milosevic was a useful addition for the Reds last term, his lack of involvement under Lamouchi makes it unsurprising he has been allowed to leave, saying: "Alexander Milosevic was an astute signing by Martin O’Neill when he signed the Swedish defender last season.

"At the time, Nottingham Forest needed a bit of extra cover at the back with Joe Worrall at Rangers and Michael Dawson out injured – and Milosevic performed well.

"But such is the strength in depth now available to Sabri Lamouchi, it’s no surprise Milosevic has been allowed to move on, having not featured at all under the Frenchman.

"That’s just a reality of playing under different managers. It’s all about opinions, and Lamouchi clearly has his and the Swede isn't part of his plans."

The Verdict

Birtles is right that Milosevic's departure from the City Ground is little surprise given the defender's lack of involvement at the start of the season for the Reds, with the 27-year-old failing to make a single appearance for the club during the first few months of the campaign.

However, as the former Nottingham Forest player acknowledges, Milosevic will be fondly remembered at the City Ground for his performances during the second half of last season, when the defender put his body on the line and added some much-needed steel to the centre of their defence.

A move away from the club though is probably the best solution for both parties, with Milosevic now free to go and get regular game time elsewhere during the rest of the campaign, whilst Forest will have saved some money on their wage bill to perhaps strengthen the squad in January.