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Nottingham Post

Sport

Sarah Clapson

Eight big Nottingham Forest transfer decisions for Steve Cooper as deadline day takes shape

Forest Steve Cooper Nottingham Forest Dean Henderson Jesse Lingard Jordan Smith Cafu Chris Wood Danilo Gustavo Scarpa

The January transfer window draws to a close today and we could still see ins and outs at Nottingham Forest before the deadline.

Gustavo Scarpa, Chris Wood and Danilo have already been signed by the Reds. And the club will oversee further business in the coming days to tweak head coach Steve Cooper’s squad for the second half of the season.

Typically, the winter window is also a time when the spotlight is cast on players whose contracts will expire in the summer. January is a final chance to cash in, if they are to be let go, otherwise they can walk away for nothing at the end of the campaign if new terms are not agreed.

Forest have a number of players in the final few months of their deals. Decisions will need to be made soon over their futures. Here’s a look at the players who will be out of contract this year.

Jordan Smith

The 28-year-old is almost part of the furniture at the City Ground, having been at the club for two decades, signing as a seven-year-old. The goalkeeper situation in general is one which will need to be addressed in the summer, though.

Smith has been third-choice, behind Dean Henderson and Wayne Hennessey, this season. Following an injury to Henderson, the club are looking into signing another shot-stopper; there is also a decision to make over whether to pursue a permanent deal for Henderson at the end of the season. Both of which could change the picture somewhat.

Smith is very well-thought of, however. Cooper has praised him for being a good teammate and playing a key role among the goalkeeping group. But the academy graduate will also no doubt weigh up whether he is keen to seek regular game time elsewhere.

Jack Colback

Cooper values the veteran midfielder’s experience - both on the pitch and in the dressing room. He is a model professional.

Colback might not have started many games this season, having been pushed down the pecking order by new arrivals, but whenever he has come off the bench the 33-year-old has been excellent. He might not have the flair of some of his rivals for the position, but his nous and ability to steady the ship remain useful assets to call upon in tough games. He showed against Wolverhampton Wanderers that he can take a mean penalty, too.

Before he turned down a new contract offer, Forest were keen to hang on to Lewis Grabban this season, for the influence he had on his teammates and the fact he could still offer something as a substitute. Might the same also apply to Colback this year?

Cafu

Although something of a cult hero, it will be no surprise to see the midfielder’s time at Forest end either this month or in the summer. He was left out of the 25-man Premier League squad for the first half of the campaign, and his situation is unlikely to change by the time the list is revised at the end of this month.

Lyle Taylor

The striker is in a similar position to Cafu, not being included in the 25-man squad. If there is an opportunity for him to move on before the window closes, it would suit both parties as it is difficult to envisage a new contract being offered.

Jesse Lingard

Only last week, Cooper reiterated the attacker’s future is currently on the backburner. It is not something which has been discussed yet.

Lingard appears to be enjoying his time Trentside, though. And Cooper said he would be keen to work with him for as long as possible.

"With regards to his situation here, he is very much part of what we're doing, on and off the pitch,” said the Welshman. "We're really enjoying working with him. How long it will be for - the longer the better, for me. But we don't know.

"At some stage we're going to have to have the discussion with him. But the fact he says he's happy and content pleases me, because that's always what I want for a player - for their self-worth to be high, because that's when you get the best out of them. And if we get the best out of Jesse, then we've got a good player.”

Serge Aurier

Although the length of his contract wasn’t officially disclosed when he put pen to paper, the defender is believed to have signed a one-year deal. He is going the right way about earning fresh terms, though, having been superb since coming in.

He has become one of the first names on the team-sheet and a consistent performer. He clearly buys into what Forest are trying to achieve, too. If the Reds retain Premier League status, it seems a no-brainer to get him tied down again.

Dean Henderson

The shot-stopper’s loan from Manchester United will run out at the end of the season. As mentioned above, Forest will need to look at their goalkeeping options as a whole come the summer. It also remains to be seen whether Henderson has a future at Old Trafford, although given he hit out at his parent club back in August, arguing they had wasted a year of his career, a route back could be difficult.

Renan Lodi

The Reds have an option to make the full-back’s loan from Atletico Madrid permanent in the summer. It took the Brazilian a little while to get going this term, but he has been in fine form of late.

He is sure to have a say over whether he is happy to remain in England - although with fellow countrymen Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo now at the City Ground, it should help him feel settled. Much like the goalkeeping position, Forest will need to assess their left-back options at the end of the campaign as they also have Omar Richards and Harry Toffolo on the books, with Neco Williams capable of playing there, too. Lodi has shown he is too good to let go easily, though.

In addition to the above players, striker Chris Wood is on loan from Newcastle United. However, his deal includes a conditional option to buy which will come into effect if certain clauses are met.