It ended up being a fairly busy January transfer window for Nottingham Forest, with a number of incomings and outgoings overseen.
The aim going into the month was for the Reds to finish the window with a squad in place which would be capable of mounting a promotion push under head coach Steve Cooper.
The Welshman himself said he didn’t want the club simply to “collect” players, more to bring in those who could make a difference while also allowing those who had been struggling for game time to move on.
Although some of the deals Forest pursued didn’t come off, Cooper will hope he now has more options when it comes to picking his starting line-up week to week.
Given the injury concerns of some key players, though, he may not get to select his strongest first XI for some time.
If Lewis Grabban, Joe Worrall and Steve Cook are fit, there’s no question they would be among the first names on the team-sheet - regardless of late January additions.
The back line of Worrall, Cook and Scott McKenna had looked impressive in the two outings the trio managed together before injuries struck.
In the absence of Worrall and with doubts over Cook, though, deadline day arrival Jonathan Panzo could quickly get thrown into the fray.
Richie Laryea has yet to make his debut in the Garibaldi, and arrived at the City Ground with good reports. Able to play on the right or the left flank, he has his work cut out to unseat either Djed Spence or Max Lowe, though.
If everyone is available, there are tough choices in midfield and at the top end of the pitch, when picking a strongest team.
Ryan Yates, James Garner and Jack Colback are all battling for places in the centre of the pitch - not to mention the likes of Cafu and Braian Ojeda as well.
Garner has also been utilised in a more advanced role, but as and when Keinan Davis and Grabban are both available it becomes trickier to fit everyone in.
Forest will be hoping the ankle injury to Grabban isn’t as bad as it looked on Sunday, but it seems likely he will face a spell on the sidelines, having left the Cardiff City Stadium wearing a protective boot. That could see new arrival Sam Surridge quickly in contention.
The Reds did try to get a winger in before the deadline, but the fact Brennan Johnson remains at the club - despite the best attempts of Brentford - is significant.
Strongest Forest XI after the January transfer window when everyone is fit: Samba; Worrall, Cook, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Colback, Lowe; Johnson, Davis, Grabban.
