Former Nottingham Forest striker Garry Birtles has urged Joe Worrall to keep his head down and ignore any speculation linking him with a potential move to Arsenal.

Reports from Football Insider have claimed that the Gunners are keeping tabs on the homegrown star, who has played an influential role in helping Forest climb to within touching distance of the automatic promotion places.

It is claimed that scouts from the Emirates Stadium will watch Worrall in action on Wednesday night, as the Reds prepare to take on Queens Park Rangers in West London, ahead of a potential approach in January.

The 22-year-old has been an everpresent under Sabri Lamouchi this season, and has helped concede only 13 goals in the Championship campaign thus far.

With another three years left on his deal at the City Ground, Forest quite simply have no reason to get rid of the defender, although an approach from one of the biggest clubs in England could be too much to turn down.

But speaking in his latest Nottingham Post column, Garry Birtles has urged Worrall to keep his head down and ignore any rumours linking him with a move to North London.

Can you score 15 out of 15 on this Forest quiz?

He said: "On Tuesday afternoon Joe Worrall was linked with Arsenal, while Matty Cash is said to be a target of Everton.

"If I could give them one piece of advice it would be to ignore any rumours about their future and just get their heads down.

"That's what has brought them so much success this season so they should carry on just as they have been.

"If you start getting above yourself then that's where you come undone."

Forest will be hoping to bounce back from a 0-0 draw at Bristol City with a win over the R's tonight - the Reds sit sixth in the Sky Bet Championship table.

The Verdict

I completely agree with Birtles on this one - Worrall should definitely look to stay in the East Midlands with Forest for the long run.

He has come up leaps and bounds under Lamouchi and is establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the league at the moment.

Would he play regularly if he moved to Arsenal? I highly doubt it. Therefore, what would be the point in the move other than to earn a bit more money?