Nottingham Forest ace sets out England 'dream' after backing from Nuno
by PA, Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveNottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates has not given up on his dream of playing for England.
The 26-year-old has been a key cog in the Reds' engine room as they have enjoyed a stellar start to the season, losing just one of their opening nine games. He scored his second Premier League goal last Friday night as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side beat Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium.
Morgan Gibbs-White received a call-up to the Three Lions squad earlier this term, and at the time Forest head coach Nuno touted Yates to also be in contention. The Nigel Doughty Academy graduate believes there is still plenty more to come from his game, which could pay dividends with a new England manager to impress.
“It’s always a possibility, it is every young boy’s dream to play for their country,” Yates said. “I feel like I am playing really well, but I feel like I can give even more.
“I feel I have got plenty more to come. I honestly take each day as it comes, but I want to keep improving and I never say never to anything.
“I just look back to when I was on loan at Barrow, Scunthorpe and Shrewsbury, and now I am playing in the Premier League with Forest, third season. Anything is possible because there were some dark times when I was on loan.”
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Forest as a team are already showing clear signs of progress this season as they look to push on this time around. After successive relegation battles since their return to the top tier, the aim is to be looking upwards rather than over their shoulders this year.
Yates, too, is now feeling at home at this level. The experience of the last two campaigns has helped him, and he is confident Nuno can help him to develop further.
“I do feel this is where I belong,” he said. “This is my third season now, I feel I have progressed year on year and will continue to do so. I am really progressing under Nuno and I am pushing for more.”