Leicester City to battle Middlesbrough for Nottingham Forest's Joe Worrall?

The 26-year-old defender has slipped down the pecking order at the Premier League club, last featuring for the team back in October.

Worrall signed a contract extension at the City Ground in September, which runs until the summer of 2026.

According to the Daily Mail, Worrall, along with his teammate Scott McKenna, have been excluded from first-team training sessions at the club's Nigel Doughty Academy HQ.

The report adds that Leicester are keen on acquiring the services of the defender but could face competition, with Middlesbrough also believed to be interested in the 26-year-old.

Both Worrall and McKenna are expected to be made available when the transfer window opens next month; however, that might be subject to change depending on the future of under-pressure head coach Steve Cooper.

Worrall has proven himself in the Championship in the past and was a key performer for Forest in their promotion in 2022.

The defender has made 223 appearances during his time at the City Ground since moving from Rangers.