SHOCKING NEWS; Nottingham Forest confirm the return of former player

Rodney McAree has revealed the injury suffered by talented Dungannon Swifts teenager Bobby-Jack McAleese isn’t as bad as first feared and it’s likely the former Nottingham Forest youngster will be out for weeks rather than months.

McAleese impressed during the Swifts’ 3-1 league victory over Carrick Rangers last weekend with his pressure and pinpoint pass helping create a stunning team goal which was finished off by Adam Glenny.

He was then forced off early in the second half and McAree originally thought that the midfielder had picked up a serious issue after being helped leave the pitch by medical staff, but scans have revealed he should be back within the next few weeks.

The 19-year-old previously earned a move to Premier League outfit Forest from Coleraine in 2022 with U18 manager Warren Joyce saying at the time: “Bobby has got a good brain and a good personality which is important along with his natural talent”.

However, a significant knee injury cut McAleese’s time in England short and he returned to the Irish League with Portstewart before switching to Glebe Rangers.

It was a chance meeting with Swifts coach John Gregg that helped spark his summer switch to Stangmore Park and McAleese has since made 18 Premiership appearances during what has been a memorable campaign for McAree’s men, who sit third ahead of Saturday’s trip to reigning champions Larne.

“It’s not as bad as first feared,” said McAree. “He has a wee bit of ligament damage and it looks like it’ll only be two or three weeks.

He has been brilliant. He missed about four weeks earlier in the season with an injury and had been in the team before that.

“When he picked up that injury he maybe found it hard getting back in, but he had just got back in and he has been brilliant for us.