Nottingham Forest are set to keep Steve Cooper as manager and give him one more chance to save his job at the City Ground, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Alternatives being lined up

The Reds have had a disappointing start to their first season back in the top-flight, where they currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League after taking just four points from a possible 24.

After the 4-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City on Monday night, the 42-year-old has come under increased pressure, with potential replacements already starting to be identified should Evangelos Marinakis decide to sack him in the imminent future.

The Latest: Forest set to keep Cooper

Taking to Twitter, Romano revealed that Forest have temporarily decided to hand Cooper one last opportunity to prove himself.

“There’s still no communication to Steve Cooper despite rumours of imminent sack. Nottingham Forest owners, on it.

“Been told Cooper has still chances to stay and have one more opportunity as NFFC head coach.”

The Verdict: The final straw

Cooper guiding his side to promotion last season was an achievement nothing short of remarkable, but this does appear to be the final straw.

The Welshman has an impressive record having won 29 and drawn 12 of his 54 matches in charge, averaging 1.83 points per match (Transfermarkt), but this doesn’t take away from the fact that they have majorly underperformed so far this term.

Monday’s upcoming clash against Aston Villa will be a real showdown of two struggling sides, with the result having the potential to determine Cooper’s - and perhaps Steven Gerrard's - future in the Midlands.