Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper concedes Jesse Lingard has struggled this season.

Lingard, a summer signing from Manchester United, has featured just three times since the turn of the year and is yet to score a goal or make an assist in that time.

Ahead of today's clash with United, Cooper said: "Like everybody, he's giving everything to be in a position where he wants to contribute.

"Jesse is as determined as anybody else in the group.

"He's had a bit of a tough time and he's missed some games through injuries that haven't been long-term injuries but have just not allowed him to be available for games. Against Manchester United, he'd love to be involved and even more than that contribute in a really, really positive way.

"But the most important thing at the moment is the greater good of the team and what we're trying to do. Any individual situation around that is not as important as the collective. There's such a strong togetherness and culture at the club. We're all frustrated with recent results but determined and motivated because there's still so much to achieve and so much can be done."