Oxford United manager Liam Manning has confirmed that Ateef Konate has returned to Nottingham Forest.
The versatile performer was loaned to the League One outfit during the January transfer window.
Things haven’t really gone according to plan, with the player often being utilized as an impact option from the bench.
The 22-year-old was sampling his first taste of regular men’s football in England and he will be disappointed with how things have gone.
Konate hasn’t even been in the squad since Liam Manning replaced Karl Robinson in the hot seat
Now, the boss of the League One struggler has confirmed that Konate is indeed back with Forest.
He told the Oxford Mail: “Ateef is no longer here, he returned to Forest last week so Ateef won’t be involved at the weekend.”
This could prove a little bit bittersweet from a Forest perspective.
On one hand, it’s a shame that the player hasn’t been given more of a chance at Oxford.
However, Konate will now be available for the Reds’ under-21 play-off semi-final against West Brom.
Forest is hoping to reach the Premier League 2 Division 1 and will hope to reach their goal this season.
Manning has confirmed a return to Forest for Konate
The Reds will welcome the versatile forward back into their under-21 ranks ahead of a big period for the club.
He had seemingly outgrown under-21 football prior to joining Oxford and it’s a shame things haven’t worked out better.
In total, the player made just five appearances for the League One outfit and will clearly be unhappy with how things have gone.
Warren Joyce is a master of working with younger players. Now, his immediate task is to restore some confidence in Konate before the season is out.
If he can do that, Konate might just help Forest’s under-21 win promotion this season.
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