Nottingham Forest make Steve Cooper decision ahead of Wolves clash as ex-Molineux boss linked

Wolverhampton Wanderers are gearing up to take on Nottingham Forest at the weekend - and former Wolves head coach Julen Lopetegui has been linked with a move to the City Ground, as the pressure mounts on current manager Steve Cooper.

Questions surrounding the safety of Cooper's job have grown increasingly louder since Forest were thumped 5-0 in midweek by Fulham - a report from the Guardian suggests that Lopetgui could be the man to assume his place at the club - although the report does state Cooper is set to remain in place against Wolves this this weekend with Forest sticking by the ex-Swansea City man for now.

In a recent press conference, Cooper said on the safety of his job: "It is not a thought process I believe in using. Of course, we are disappointed with the results, particularly the one last night [against Fulham] and the performance, but more than ever you have to show belief and character in what you want to be and who are you are and what you stand for and what the club and the supporters need to see."

Who else is in the running for the Nottingham Forest job?

Lopetegui isn't the only man who is being considered for the Forest job, of course. One of the names who has been linked with the role is Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira - he was most recently the head coach of Crystal Palace, before being sacked earlier in the year.

Reims manager Will Still is also believed to be in the running. The young Englishman has made quite a splash in the last couple of years - his team are currently achieving beyond expectations as they sit fifth in Ligue 1.

Of course, Cooper has not been sacked as of yet. There is still time for him to salvage his job at the Tricky Trees, even as it hangs in the balance - but losing against Wolves on Saturday afternoon would probably sound the death knell for the Welshman's time in Nottingham.