Nottingham Forest striker Lewis Grabban insists that speculation linking him with a move away from the City Ground is just 'gossip'.

It has been a frustrating campaign for Grabban, whose season has been hampered by injury and hasn't been as fruitful as previous ones.

Grabban scored 17 goals in 2018/19, and last season, he became the first player since 2003 to score 20 goals in a league campaign.

But whilst he looks set to end this season as Forest's top goalscorer for the third year running, the 33-year-old has only scored six goals in 27 league appearances.

Grabban was linked with a move away from Forest in the summer, with Sabri Lamouchi looking to lure the forward to Qatari side Al-Duhail.

Grabban was understood to be interested in a move at the time, but the captain decided to remain at the City Ground.

Speaking in his press conference on Thursday, Grabban played down speculation linking him with a move away, insisting that it is just 'gossip'.

He said: "It's just gossip. People love to gossip, don't they? I think I have been leaving every window since I signed here!

"I just get on with it and just try and do my job. Hopefully next season I'll get back to what fans expect from me and what I expect from myself and get towards them high figures for goals which I have been doing."

The Verdict

This is the first season in a while where Grabban hasn't hit double figures in the Championship, which says a lot about his goalscoring quality.

It would be unfair, then, to write him off after one season, and he will be desperate to get back to his best form in front of goal.

Forest do need a younger striker, but his experience could be key for Forest next season as they look to have a positive campaign under Chris Hughton.