James Ward-Prowse is on his way back to east London after his season-long loan spell was dramatically cut short at West Ham United's behest on Sunday evening.
The midfielder spent just one season at the London Olympic Stadium before being sent on loan to Nottingham Forest by Julen Lopetegui - since when his energy in the centre of the field has been greatly missed.But the 30-year-old is expected to re-join the Hammers after an agreement was reached with Forest to terminate Ward-Prowse's loan arrangement, with immediate effect.
Having started only a handful of games for the in-form Forest since moving to the East Midlands at the beginning of the season, it was also an easy agreement for the player himself to reach.
And Ward-Prowse can now look forward to working with new Hammers boss Graham Potter, who is reported by writer David Ornstein to have given his full approval to the move.
Upon moving to Nottingham at the end of the summer transfer window, Ward-Prowse said: "I’m delighted to be here. I thought it was a fantastic opportunity.
"Having played Nottingham Forest a few times, the atmosphere is one of the best I’ve played in in the Premier League, so to now hopefully experience that week in, week out is something really special."
Unfortunately for Ward-Prowse his opportunities to enjoy the unique Tent-side atmosphere as a player proved to be few and far between under Nuno Espirito Santo, for whom the midfielder was some way down the pecking order.
Left out entirely of Forest's squad for the 7-0 drubbing of Brighton last weekend, the former Southampton man knew his days were numbered - and thanks to a change in the guard at Stratford, he now has a brief 15-game window in which to impress Potter.
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