Nottingham Forest boss makes bold Rodrigo Ribeiro call as teenager braces for Premier League debut
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says new signing Rodrigo Ribeiro will be given the chance to impress straight away.
The 18-year-old striker joined from Sporting Lisbon on deadline day, signing a loan deal which could become permanent in the summer.
Ribeiro is primarily a signing for the future but Nuno, who had a track record of giving young players a chance at Wolves, has not discounted using him straight away with injuries to Chris Wood and Divock Origi.
Nuno said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth: “It’s about the situation of the squad. If you see an opportunity for a young guy, then why not?
“As long as he’s ready. That’s the way I look at it.
“You have to judge based on the momentum of the player, looking at what he can bring to the team in terms of the game plan and the opponent ahead of us.
“Then, it’s nothing to do with age. It’s to do with ability and specific characteristics of the player.
“We don’t consider age, it’s not an issue and there is always a first time for everything.
“We will be here to support them so, there’s no problem.
“We can see plenty of all of the players, it is all based on the moment and the situation of the squad.
“He is a young player with quality so it is up to us to try and improve him and see if he becomes a valid option for us.”
