Incoming Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill could be set to make his first decision at the helm of the Championship club.

The Herald Scotland is reporting that the former Republic of Ireland and Celtic boss could recall defender Joe Worrall from his temporary stint at Glasgow Rangers when he takes over the club officially.

O’Neill is expected to be paraded to the media today after Aitor Karanka asked to be relinquished of his contract after a strain in the relationship between him and the club’s hierarchy last week.

That is the feeling of former Forest stalwart Garry Birtles, who was speaking to the publication regarding the 22-year-old’s future.

Worrall has impressed in Scotland since his move north of the border and has been a consistent member of Steve Gerrard’s squads.

Starting and finishing all four Europa League group games, the defender has also appeared nine times from the start in the Scottish Premier League and twice from the bench, as well as being selected for two Scottish League Cup ties.

And, according to Birtles, his return to Nottingham Forest could be imminent.

“Joe going out on loan was a strange one. A lot of people were puzzled about him being allowed to go up to Scotland,” Birtles said.

"I am not surprised he has done so well. There’s a possibility he could be brought back down.

“We have got big injury problems in that position at the moment. I am sure Martin will look at the bigger picture.

"Joe was one of a few good young players who came through the youth ranks at Forest. I am sure he is one who Martin will look at very closely.”

The verdict

This would make perfect sense to me; Joe Worrall has been impressive during his spell in Scotland and with Forest hard-up on injuries and suspensions at the back, his arrival back at the City Ground would be most welcome.

O’Neill has got a job on his hands to get to know the massive squad assembled at the City Ground, but he would have done some homework in the last few days.

Worrall is a player he would have seen having had ties with Celtic he would have undoubtedly had a keen eye on the SPFL title race.

It’s a move that would most probably be welcome by the majority of Nottingham Forest fans and a move that needs to be done as soon as possible to sure up a patched-up defensive line.