This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Nottingham Forest have the option to recall Brennan Johnson from his loan spell at Lincoln City this month.

It's a decision that is sparking a lot of debate amongst Forest fans, with the 19-year-old enjoying a stellar stint on loan at Micheal Appleton's Lincoln side, with the attacking midfielder scoring five goals and providing two assists in League One so far.

So, what should Forest do here? Should they look to recall Johnson or keep him out on loan at Sincil Bank?

The team here at FLW discuss...

Alfie Burns

It’s got to be tempting at this stage, but I’m not sure whether that means it’s the completely right move.

We saw a similar situation with Tyler Walker last season and it did him nor Forest any favours whatsoever.

It’s hardly like Forest are short of options within their squad. After all, there was a reason that Johnson was shipped out in the first place.

He’s developing nicely at Lincoln and getting quite a unique opportunity in a promotion-chasing side.

Forest, for me, should leave him where he is and learn from past mistakes. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them recall him. He’s been impressive and, given Forest’s struggles, it’s a decision Hughton might feel is right.

Phil Spencer

This is an absolute no-brainer for Nottingham Forest.

Given the struggles that the Reds have had so far this term it seems inevitable that they'll be looking to add some fresh faces into the mix next month.

But why splash out when you have a future star in your possession?

Brennan Johnson has been a revelation for Lincoln City so far this term after scoring six and creating seven for the League One side - a run of form that shows that he's ready to compete at Championship level.

Hughton would be foolish not to give him a chance as the winger has already shown that he has what it takes to thrive.

Of course Lincoln will be praying that they can keep the player, but on current form it seems unlikely.

 

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Toby Wilding

I'm not convinced they should at all.

Johnson is absolutely flourishing at Lincoln right now, and you have to feel that the fact he is getting regular first-team football at Sincil Bank under Michael Applteon is playing a big part in that success he is enjoying.

As a result, you feel that Johnson would have to be given just as much game time at Forest were they to recall him, for that improvement to continue, and considering the options Hughton has available to him in his squad at the minute, it is hard to imagine there would be any guarantee of that happening.

Indeed, given the precarious situation Forest find themselves in at the wrong end of the Championship table right now, it would be a great deal of pressure to put on a young and relatively inexperienced player such as Johnson if they were to bring him back and turn to him to get them out of trouble, meaning you have to question whether this would be a risk worth taking either for the player of the club.