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Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed, via The Nottingham Post, that he has spoken to owner Evangelos Marinakis about the club’s future plans on the pitch, and the first thing he should have asked the Greek tycoon about is tying Ryan Yates down to a new contract.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Marinakis has been in England for the last week or so because of the redevelopment plans for The City Ground, and he remained in the country to watch the 3-0 victory against Hull City on Saturday.

O’Neill has since confirmed, via The Nottingham Post, that the duo spoke to each other about a number of different subjects including potential summer transfers, but the priority should have been discussing the ever-improving Yates.

The 21-year-old has only become a regular fixture in the starting XI since the 66-year-old replaced Aitor Karanka at the helm, and he has more than taken his opportunity with six consecutive league starts.

Long-term contract needed

The impressive midfielder only signed a new three-year deal with the Reds last summer following successful loan spells with Notts County and Scunthorpe United, but now he is establishing himself as a key player for the Championship club.

Yates has many impressive aspects to his game and if he continues at the rate he is, he could be a huge asset for Forest in the future – both in terms of his quality and his price tag.

If the east Midlands outfit want to progress and get better then they need to be tying down players like the 21-year-old down to new long-term contracts, and that should be one of Marinakis’ main priorities over the next few months.