Steve Cooper's job as Nottingham Forest manager is under threat

Steve Cooper is under growing pressure as Nottingham Forest boss with forthcoming fixtures against Wolves and Leeds potentially decisive for his future.

The Forest hierarchy have been increasingly concerned with recent results and performances after seeing the club slip to within two points of the relegation zone, with a fearsome run of fixtures to follow the next two games.

Forest spent about £160million on 30 players in the last two transfer windows and expected the outlay to secure at least one more season in the top flight, following promotion last May.

Cooper was under serious pressure last October after a 4-0 defeat at Leicester, but owner Evangelos Marinakis kept faith with the Welshman then, handing him a new three-year contract.

That decision looked to be justified as Forest produced improved results either side of the World Cup break. But a nine-match home run was ended by Newcastle on March 17, while Forest have collected only six points all season on their travels.

Steve Cooper's job as Nottingham Forest manager is under threat after a string of poor results

Owner Evangelos Marinakis kept faith in Cooper in October when it looked as though the Welshman was heading for the door - and now Forest's chiefs are weighing up his future again

Cooper remains hugely popular with Forest supporters. Their backing for him was thought to have been a factor when he was retained last autumn and a similar reception against Wolves - combined with a positive result - may have a similar effect.

Apart from goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Forest's January signings have struggled. 

Chris Wood is out for the season with a thigh injury while Jonjo Shelvey has struggled to find top form and Cooper also said on Thursday that Andre Ayew would miss the Wolves game through injury.

Cooper's reputation remains high, and he is likely to be targeted at the end of the season regardless of what happens at Forest.