Gio Reyna branded the 'joker' of Nottingham Forest squad after yet another small Premier League cameo as Borussia Dortmund's masterplan for USMNT star backfires

The USMNT forward got just 13 minutes to prove his worth to Nuno Espirito Santo against Fulham on Tuesday evening during Forest's 3-1 win. All his league appearances in England have come from the bench, with it suggested that his loan stint in the Premier League has been a disaster. This was certainly not what Dortmund had envisioned when they brokered the January deal with Forest.

According to a report from SportBILD, Dortmund aspired to enhance Reyna's market value by sending him on loan to Forest. But his failure to secure substantial playing time in the Premier League has derailed Dortmund's plan to recall him in the summer and potentially sell him at a lucrative price, with the report adding that he has been reduced to the role of "joker" in Nuno's squad at the City Ground.

Reyna has played just 81 minutes across five appearances in the Premier League since his winter move. With Reyna's return to Dortmund looming, the club is left to reassess their options, with the possibility of another loan move being considered to salvage the situation.

While there remains a glimmer of hope for Reyna to turn things around at Forest before the season concludes, the likelihood of a dramatic improvement seems slim given the current circumstances. Reyna will likely have to aim for a super sub role again when Forest face Tottenham in another crucial Premier League game on Sunday.