As head coach Steve Cooper contends with a significant injury list, the importance of Nottingham Forest's recruitment in the summer and in January has been underlined as the Reds fight to retain their Premier League status.
How the class of 2023 fares will be determined come May. But when it comes to former Forest players, some made a bigger impact than others during their time on the banks of the Trent.
In recent years, a long list of players have passed through the City Ground doors, and careers have gone in all manner of different directions after they have departed. Plenty of ex-Reds continue to play their trade in the top-flight and in the Football League, but we've taken a look at some who it might surprise you are still playing.
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Nathan Tyson
At the age of 40, the forward is still going strong. He is with Northern Premier League East Division side Grantham Town.
He was released by Chesterfield at the end of last season, but was quickly snapped up by the Gingerbreads. Manager Matt Chatfield said at the time: “At the end of last season I identified areas that we needed to strengthen. We need some more competition in the forward lines. And we saw that the opportunity to talk to Nathan was there.
“We brought him down, had a chat with him. He still has as much fire and desire to keep playing football as what he had when he was in his 20s.”
Chris O’Grady
Tyson isn't the only familiar Forest face in the Grantham squad. Now aged 37, experienced striker O'Grady linked up with the Gingerbreads earlier this month. He made his debut last weekend, as North Shields were beaten 1-0.
"I'm pleased how quick the players have adapted to me. Generally, if you give it everything, put yourself around, fight for the team and fight for everyone, you end up getting results," he said afterwards.
Prior to his latest move, O'Grady had been with non-league Ilkeston Town. He had previously had a short spell at Bolton Wanderers, before being released in 2020.
Lica
The Portuguese featured just seven times for the Reds after signing from Porto in a deal worth about £300,000. Headed to Granada after his contract was cancelled, but struggled to do much better there - with two games under his belt.
Almost constantly on the move, the attacker has found it tough to settle during his career. He went on to have spells at Belenenses and Farense, but had been a free agent since the end of last season.
Aged 34, last week he joined amateur side ACDR Lamelas, a club in the village, which belongs to the municipality of Castro Daire, where he was born. "This international player is a well-known face and comes to help the team from his homeland to achieve the proposed goals! Luís Carlos Pereira Carneiro returns to Lamelas with a lot of drive and ambition! A small village, but with huge talents. Thanks for the vote of confidence in this team! Welcome home, Licá," the club said.
Hildeberto Pereira
Had his admirers during a reasonably successful season-long loan from Benfica, although he did have a tendency to get on the wrong side of officials. Went on to sign for Legia Warsaw and have a loan spell at Northampton Town, before putting pen to paper for Vitoria Setubal in his Portuguese homeland.
Joined Chinese outfit Kunshan in 2020 and has been there since. At the age of 26, he still has a fair few years ahead of him.
Are there any ex-Reds you are surprised to see still playing? Have your say in the comments below
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