He really can't. I probably rate Forren more than most on here as I liked him before he joined, but having him as a LB is a recipe for disaster. He should only be used there in an injury emergency; definitely not as 2nd choice.
I thought it was your early mention of him that brought on this ability to cover at LB people talk about.
Before he joined, I said he's got a wicked left foot on him and often plays at LB for Molde. It is beneficial that he is capable of playing the position, but he certainly shouldn't ever be considered our second-choice LB. We need at least two players who are natural in the position and he is not one; he's merely competent at filling in. Also what the Norwegian league lacks that the PL has in abundance is explosive wingers who will leave a guy like Forren for dead, meaning he'd have very little freedom to get forward. Basically if we had Forren at LB we would have to defend like Stoke.
We really need to get Luke Shaw on a new contract if it's running out at the end of next season. Wouldn't be at all surprised if Lee Barnard and Johnathan Forte had their contracts ended a year early (this summer).
Depends if Cortese just wants such players loaned out to reduce costs. I would have thought it would be better to come to a deal and get them off the books. All employees take up admin time and they could be injured and our responsibility at any time. Better for the players to have things settled as well.