Assombalonga: Ince could give Forest a ‘boost’

Nottingham Forest F.C. forward Britt Assombalonga has revealed signing Tom Ince could provide the promotion-hopefuls with a lift.

Ince, who joined Hull City on a free transfer in the summer, has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at the KC Stadium this season.

At the moment, Tigers boss Steve Bruce has preferred the likes of Gastón Ramírez and Hatem Ben Arfa, relegating Ince to a bit-part role which has seen him make just four appearances in all competitions.

Amid reports are suggesting the player is close to securing a loan move to the City Ground, Forest’s top scorer Britt Assombalonga has hinted the arrival of Ince would provide the club with a boost.

“The manager knows what he is doing, he will know the right players to bring in and the kind of players we don’t need to bring to the club,” said Assombalonga.

“It might give us a lift. At the end of the day sometimes you have to take a chance on something, to see if it does give you a boost.

“He is a good player, I can’t say anything else, because he is a good player.

“Time will tell what happens, but if he comes in it will be a good thing. It is up to the manager what he wants to do. He knows what is best for the club.”

Forest (5-7-2), currently in seventh-place in the English League Championship table, are just one point adrift of the final promotion playoffs’ place.

In other news, Hull City defender Alex Bruce has revealed he rejected the opportunity to leave the club during the summer transfer window.

Bruce, 30, started and helped Hull keep a clean sheet at Liverpool last Saturday, and has proved to be a reliable defensive option for the Tigers over the past two seasons.

The 30-year-old centre-back had offers from clubs outside the English Premier League, but opted instead to give up regular first-team in order to stay in England’s top-flight.

“There were offers [to leave] but I wanted to stay. I have worked a long time to get into the Premier League and I didn’t want to give it up,” said Bruce.

“I realise a lot of people out there will say, ‘He’s only in the Premier League because of his dad’. But I have a thick skin when it comes to comments like that.

“I like to think those who have watched me play will say I am there on merit and can hold my own. If I can keep playing like I did at Liverpool then, hopefully, I can keep the shirt on merit.

“That is always my target. When the time is right and I think, ‘I am not pulling my weight here’ then, of course, I will be the first to walk away.

“But I am happy here. I feel I have played the best football of my career here. We have been successful and I don’t see any reason why I should leave.”

Bruce, a Northern Ireland international, has made five appearances for Hull City this season.