Nottingham Forest defender Omar Richards arrives for pre-season training

Forgotten Nottingham Forest player Omar Richards has been spotted returning to training. The left-back failed to make an appearance during his maiden City Ground campaign after suffering a hairline fracture to his shin shortly after signing for the club.

Richards was a £10 million signing for Forest from Bayern Munich. He was expected to offer competition for Harry Toffolo in the left-back position but a pretty serious injury was spotted after a couple of training sessions with his new teammates.

The talented player will have been disappointed not to get out on the pitch last season. Instead, he spent it on the treatment table and watching his teammates from the stands across the campaign.

Richards now looks to be on the mend ahead of pre-season. The Reds have returned to the City Ground this morning, with the players not involved in the international fixtures after the season back for testing.

The 25-year-old will feel as though he has something to offer the Reds during 2023/24. Renan Lodi looks unlikely to be returning to the City Ground, creating a void at left-back.

Richards signed for Bayern in 2021 from Reading. He made 17 appearances for the Bavarian giants and helped them claim the Bundesliga title during his time at the club.

Richards returns to Forest training

Amid the ridicule from some supporters over whether or not the left-back is actually real, there is a player desperate to prove himself. Forest defender Richards will hope to remain confident and enjoy a quality pre-season campaign.

At 25, Richards is at a nice age and he does have experience playing in England with Reading. Now, the next step for the player is to prove himself in the Premier League.

A post on Forest’s official TikTok account has showcased Richards reporting for duty. The upload shows Forest stars returning to start their pre-season testing with the club’s medical staff.

Richards has it all to do. There is a fine player in there though and you don’t get snapped up for Bayern and actually make appearances for them if you haven’t got something about you.

Forest will be hoping that Richards can hit the ground running. If he does, he could make the left-back spot his own during the 2023/24 campaign.