Nottingham Forest target Tom Lockyer won’t solve the club’s full-back problem

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In the past few weeks, West Ham United full-back Sam Byram has been linked with Nottingham Forest.

However, as Aitor Karanka realises he may need a fallback alternative to the former Leeds man, Forest have identified Bristol Rovers’ Tom Lockyer as another option, according to the Nottingham Post.

Although Lockyer is a promising young defender who has shone for Bristol Rovers, he has not played full-back for his club in over three years and therefore would not solve Nottingham Forest’s right back problem.

There can be no doubting Lockyer’s impressive abilities, as the 23-year-old has captained Rovers brilliantly and is one of the brightest defensive talents in League One.

An intelligent centre-back with impressive awareness and strong tackling, Lockyer was named Football League Young Player of the Month award in January 2016 and won Rovers’ Young Player of the Season prize in 2015/16.

In addition, the defender has been capped four times by the Welsh national team after making his debut in 2017. A full international who has caught the eye in the Football League, Lockyer would be an intelligent signing for a Championship club looking to bolster their centre-defensive options.

However, although Lockyer does have the ability to play right back, he has not operated in that role for Bristol Rovers since the 2014/15 season, when the club where in the Conference.

If Forest truly want increased cover at right back in order to mount a promotion challenge, then the club needs to target a defender who plies his trade in that position consistently.

Tom Lockyer is one of the Football League’s brightest young defenders and would be a welcome addition to Karanka’s squad. But to truly push for promotion, Nottingham Forest must target an out-and-out fullback with Championship experience.