Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has backed captain Morgan Gibbs-White to regain his place in the England squad after the midfielder led his side to a 3-1 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Gibbs-White, who was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s selection for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, responded with a commanding display and a decisive second-half header that ended Forest’s nine-match winless run.
Dyche, who secured his first league win since taking charge of Forest, praised the 24-year-old’s leadership and work rate, describing his on-field influence as “infectious.”
“He did well to get in [the England squad] before, and people forget that,” Dyche said. “It doesn’t mean he can’t get in it again. Getting back to what he does best — that energy, that presence — it’s infectious around the group. Three goals in five games is a good marker.”
The Forest boss added that Gibbs-White’s recent performances have silenced critics after a slow start to the campaign. “He’s had unfair question marks, but he’s responded well,” Dyche noted. “I just told him to keep working and enjoy what we’re doing.”
Gibbs-White’s resurgence has been central to Forest’s recent improvement under Dyche, who has encouraged the midfielder to play with greater freedom in attacking positions. His ability to drive possession through midfield and contribute in the final third has made him a key component of Dyche’s transitional setup.
Meanwhile, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke faces increasing scrutiny following a fourth defeat in five matches. Leeds took the lead through Lukas Nmecha, but Ibrahim Sangaré quickly equalised before Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson completed Forest’s comeback.
Farke remained defiant despite mounting pressure, insisting his side remain above the relegation zone.
“We have 11 points from 11 games, which keeps us where we need to be,” he said. “Yes, it’s tighter than we’d like, but there’s no panic. We know what we must improve.”
For Forest, the win marks a turning point under Dyche, with Gibbs-White emerging as both a creative spark and a captain capable of lifting the squad’s confidence. A sustained run of form could yet see him reclaim a spot in England’s midfield plans ahead of next year’s international fixtures.
