In a potentially significant development, James Ward-Prowse’s loan spell at Nottingham Forest looks set to end sooner than expected, with reports suggesting West Ham United are considering bringing the midfielder back this month.
The 30-year-old has found himself on the bench at Forest, having made just 12 appearances this season, and has seen just 18 minutes of action in his last eight Premier League outings.
Initially expected to offer him more first-team opportunities, the move to Nottingham did not go as planned. Ward-Prowse, hailed as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders, has only been trusted to start league matches five times under Nuno Espírito Santo.
This shortage of playing time could prompt new West Ham manager Graham Potter to examine the option of recalling this creative talent to strengthen his squad.
Read more:
Manchester City secure £29.4m signing of Vitor Reis from Palmeiras
Sports journalist Alex Crook added his take on the situation, pointing out that Ward-Prowse could be precisely what Potter needs to stabilize the Hammers:
He said during the TalkSPORT podcast (as cited by Nottingham Forest News):
“How about James Ward-Prowse? He is on loan at Nottingham Forest and has played a significant volume of football for David Moyes, but Julen Lopetegui has not been very enthusiastic about him, and he has only started five matches for Forest.
“For me he is exactly the kind of player and character that could make a difference, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he was recalled from Forest.”
Read more:
Manchester United vs Southampton: Match Preview and Prediction
Having joined West Ham last summer from Southampton in a £30m deal, Ward-Prowse made an immediate impact upon arrival, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists in 53 appearances in his first season . However, following the appointment of Julen Lopetegui, he found himself out of the plans, leading to that confusing loan move to Forest – a transfer which came as a surprise, including former Hammers player Kevin Nolan.
A player renowned for his exceptional set-piece ability and leadership, Ward-Prowse built his reputation during an impressive 11-year career at Southampton, amassing 55 goals and 52 assists in 410 appearances.
A return to West Ham could just provide Ward-Prowse with the perfect opportunity to find his rhythm again and contribute to a new chapter under Graham Potter. Currently positioned mid-table, the Hammers are keen to move up the ladder, and Ward-Prowse’s set-piece expertise, as well as his creative vision, could prove indispensable in their quest for stability and success.
