Many Championship fans forgot that Ryan Yates existed, and a portion of Nottingham Forest supporters will have struggled to realise he was still a player for their team. 

The midfielder, still young, was linked with loan moves away in both the January transfer window which has just passed, as well as the summer window.

In multiple articles for Football League World choosing who we thought would leave the City Ground this window, Ryan Yates was an obvious choice. 

In recent weeks though, the youngster has excelled in the Forest side, winning man of the match in the win over Brentford last Saturday, as well as a pleasing performance in the draw against West Brom midweek. 

Forest only managed a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns, but it wasn’t for the want of trying, the Reds were by far the better team and deserved the win.

A controversial late Jay Rodriguez penalty earned Darren Moore’s side a point, and put a dent in Forest’s play off hopes. 

Despite this though, it is the break that Ryan Yates has been waiting for at Forest for over two years. 

He spent last season on loan at Notts County and seriously impressed in Kevin Nolan’s side, well before County’s woes on and off the pitch this season. 

The feeling was that another loan ensued, though. 

Actor Karanka made the decision to keep Yates around, however he didn’t use him in the Championship, so a January move seemed a certain.

Martin O’Neill did the same as his predecessor and kept Yates at the club, much to the surprise of the fanbase. The only logical thought was that if two managers kept Yates at the club, he must be special.

Yates has shown he is composed on the ball, and has an eye for acute passes. 

Finally, the decision to keep Yates at the club is paying off, with the local lad pipping many more experienced midfielders to a place in the team, with dividends being shown on the pitch.