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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

Deadline day dream for Nottingham Forest: Two in and one out as Brennan Johnson stays

Deadline day is here, and with it Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper's last chance to make any changes to his squad ahead of a big second half of the season.

Some positive transfer business has already been done at the City Ground this month. Three signings who can make a difference have come in and the squad has been trimmed as fringe players have departed, either on loan or on a permanent basis.

The hope is that by 11pm this evening, there is a group in place which can push into the top six - in spite of yesterday's defeat at Cardiff City and a couple of worrying injuries.

And that would mean further ins and outs before the January window closes at 11pm this evening.

Not too much more needs to be done. There was no point ripping up a dressing room which had been doing well; this window was never going to see a big overhaul. But the fact Lewis Grabban was helped off the pitch in South Wales and Steve Cook was left suffering from a calf problem may have altered plans.

If they can get them over the line, the Reds would benefit from getting at least a couple more additions in before the cut-off.

Strengthening their attacking options is something they have been working on this month. Striker Keinan Davis arrived on the first day of the window, but extra reinforcements could prove crucial in the race to finish in the top six.

Ensuring sufficient strength in depth is important.

There is no doubt about the quality of Forest's first XI, when everyone is fit. However, there are some areas of the pitch where Cooper doesn't have too many options - particularly at the top end.

The Welshman has said himself his ideal is to have strong cover in every position, albeit that is more of a longer term goal. And he is willing to call upon academy players when he feels they are ready, just as Ateef Konate was handed his league debut in last week’s 3-0 win over Barnsley.

Millwall's Jed Wallace and Blackpool's Josh Bowler are two wingers the Reds have courted for almost all of this month, though. Getting at least one of them - or an alternative wide man - would be fantastic business. They would add more goal threat to the side. Add in Joe Lolley and Alex Mighten when they return from injury, and the head coach would have considerably more choice.

There was also an argument for bringing in another striker before Grabban was clattered into in South Wales. That case has only been strengthened.

Lyle Taylor wanted to be playing more regularly and was allowed out on loan to Birmingham City. That leaves Grabban and Davis as the out-and-out forwards, with others in the squad who are capable of filling in.

Davis has done well since he joined on loan from Aston Villa, and getting on the scoresheet should boost his confidence. But it is an area where the Reds were still short, even before the nasty-looking injury to their top scorer.

If Grabban is to be out for any length of time, replacing his goals would be tough.

With Taylor gone, there was already a lack of goalscoring options on the bench.

In terms of outgoings, the club have made good inroads in moving some on. They will also hope they have made their stance perfectly clear when it comes to Brennan Johnson - keeping him and Joe Worrall, and not seeing Djed Spence recalled, would be huge.

Before the day is over, though, the Reds will hope to have sorted out Harry Arter's future. The midfielder has been linked with a move abroad, and it would no doubt suit all parties to get that done.

Xande Silva looks to be staying put after a move to Aris Thessaloniki fell through, which isn't necessarily a bad thing as he has looked bright.

But there is a decision to make over Tobias Figueiredo. The extent of Cook's calf issue may have a bearing on that, however.

Figueiredo is wanted by Portuguese side Vitoria. It's just a question of whether Forest are willing to let him go, with Worrall sidelined and now doubt over Cook.

Even with any late change of plans, it is unlikely to be an overly busy deadline day on the banks of the Trent, which is testament to the planning and early work the club managed to get done. The next few hours could have a bearing on how the rest of the campaign pans out, nevertheless.

What business would you like to see on deadline day? Have your say in the comments below

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