Banished Nottingham Forest star Joe Worrall could be handed transfer lifeline by Man Utd legend in January

MIDDLESBROUGH are ready to make an initial offer to sign Nottingham Forest’s out-of-favour centre-half Joe Worrall.

Championship side Boro want to sign Worrall on loan and possibly turn that into a full-time deal if they win promotion to the Prem.

Nottingham Forest ace Joe Worrall may move in the January transfer windowGetty

Worrall is targeted by Middlesbrough after falling out of favour at Nottingham ForestAlamy

Worrall, 26, signed a new deal recently — but is no longer in the Forest side and could be squeezed out in January with Middlesbrough manager and Manchester United hero Michael Carrick interested.

And City Ground defender Scott McKenna, 27,  will also be looking for a new home after his lack of game time recently as the Scotland star wants to be sharp for Euro 2024.

Worrall and McKenna are believed to have been told to train on different pitches from the remainder of the first team.

The defenders have also been instructed to arrive for training at a different time from their team-mates.

Recent reports have also suggested both centre-backs have been “banished” from the first team.

However, the decision to axe them is not said to be related to any behavioural issues or rows.

Both Worrall and McKenna were key players in Forest‘s promotion to the Premier League in 2022.

They both helped end the Tricky Trees’ 23-year absence from the Premier League when they won the 2022 Championship play-off final at Wembley against Huddersfield.

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But the last two matches against Wolves and Tottenham, Forest manager Steve Cooper has opted for a back-three consisted of Murillo, Willy Boly and Moussa Niakhate.

Meanwhile, Forest will let keeper George Shelvey, 22,  go out on loan for experience.