Garry Birtles has warned Matty Cash that he could regret leaving Nottingham Forest if a move to the Premier League comes about in January.

The academy graduate has been outstanding as a right-back this season and his form is believed to have caught the attention of several top-flight clubs, with reports suggesting Everton are monitoring the £12m-rated player.

And, writing for Nottinghamshire Live, Birtles praised the form Cash has shown this season but he also stressed that a move away from the City Ground may not work out - citing several examples.

"Everybody wants to play at the top and Matty will be no different, though I would urge a note of caution. Recently players have left the City Ground hoping to further their careers, believing that they may get a chance to go on to bigger and better things. For some, that just has not worked.

"Oliver Burke, Ben Brereton, Ben Osborn and even Britt Assombalonga left the club seeking bigger and better things, and you’d have to say, none really have. So that should act as a word of warning that the grass isn’t always as green as you think it might be."

Cash is sure to be involved as the Reds travel to take on Bristol City this weekend.

The verdict

This is a fair point from Birtles and the players he mentioned all thought they would benefit from leaving Forest and it hasn't happened.

Of course, Cash will believe that he has the ability to play in the top-flight so I don't think it would impact his decision and the Premier League is going to appeal for so many reasons.

However, Forest will not want to sell in January and the player will want to take the Reds to the top-flight so this doesn't really need to be concerning fans until the summer at the earliest.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.