Nottingham Forest will target players who can slot straight into the starting XI as they look to bolster their ranks in the January transfer window.
Gustavo Scarpa has already been added to the squad, although is ineligible to play until next week's trip to Southampton. But the Reds are targeting further additions to boost their survival bid.
They have also been hit hard by injuries, with Giulian Biancone (ACL), Omar Richards (hairline fracture of a leg), Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate (both hamstring) all long-term absentees, while Morgan Gibbs-White (calf) is expected to be sidelined for "a little while" and Jesse Lingard is a doubt ahead of Sunday's clash with Chelsea. The list of those ruled out will have an impact on Forest's transfer plans, and head coach Steve Cooper is keen to make sure any additions are able to have an immediate impact.
READ MORE: Forest face six big transfer decisions ahead of January window
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Injury update
Nottingham Forest are sweating on the fitness of Jesse Lingard ahead of their New Year’s Day clash with Chelsea.
The summer signing was forced off in the second half of Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester United, having been wearing heavy strapping on his right thigh. Head coach Steve Cooper said afterwards he was hopeful it was “fatigue in his hamstring”, but the Reds are still waiting for a proper diagnosis.
Any doubt over Lingard would leave Cooper short of attacking options, given Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to be out “for a little while” with a calf problem. Forest are already without long-term absentees Omar Richards (hairline fracture of the leg), Giulian Biancone (ACL), Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate (both hamstring).
“We’re working with him hard and we’re trying to push him without risk of further damage, because that wouldn’t be good at all,” Cooper said of Gibbs-White, ahead of facing the Blues. “It’s a little bit ongoing, in terms of getting him back.
Midfielder 'interest'
Nottingham Forest have been linked with Morocco international Selim Amallah ahead of the January transfer window.
The Reds are plotting reinforcements next month, both to help boost their survival bid and as a result of a lengthy long-term absentee list. Head coach Steve Cooper is keen to bring in players who can slot straight into his starting XI.
Reports in Belgium claim there is “concrete interest” from Forest in Amallah, who is expected to leave Standard Liege. But they are not the only ones keen.
The 26-year-old caught the eye for Morocco as they impressed at the World Cup. Those performances are said to have led to Valencia also keeping tabs on him.
Cooper magic
A huge transfer window awaits for Nottingham Forest in January if they are to push on and secure survival against the odds - despite spending incredible amounts of money in the summer upon their return to the Premier League.
An incredible campaign last year saw Steve Cooper take the Reds from the bottom of the Championship to fourth-place in just 38 matches after starting his tenure with the club on four points from eight games. A run which saw just six losses, 10 draws and an incredible 22 wins in the league propelled Forest into the play-offs, where the rest is history.
Nonetheless, the arrival of 19 first-team players saw a huge upheaval at the City Ground - and despite the teething problems, Forest are 19th in the table albeit just one point from safety.
Yet BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher, speaking to NottinghamshireLive's Garibaldi Red podcast, claims that there are established Premier League players who want to play under Steve Cooper in the top-flight - hinting that more high-profile signings may be awash in the coming month.
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