Nottingham Forest are still weighing up whether to bring in another goalkeeper while first-choice Dean Henderson is sidelined.
Manchester United loanee Henderson is expected to be ruled out for at least a month with the thigh injury he suffered in the 2-0 victory over Leicester City. But with the Reds not in Premier League action again until February 5, when they host Leeds United, the club are debating whether they need to dip into the transfer market for cover.
Before that match against Leeds, Forest have a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Henderson’s parent club, which he would have been ineligible to feature in anyway - potentially limiting the impact of his absence. Barring a new arrival between now and Wednesday night’s first leg against United at the City Ground, Wayne Hennessey will keep his spot after replacing Henderson in the starting XI for the weekend’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, with Jordan Smith as back-up.
READ MORE: Eight players on notice as Cooper faces key Forest decisions
READ MORE: Forest predicted XI for Man United cup clash
Injury latest
Nottingham Forest will make a late call on Ryan Yates’ fitness for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United.
The midfielder was substituted just before half-time of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, with boss Steve Cooper saying he had felt unwell during the game. He had also been forced off a week earlier, against Leicester City, after taking a whack to the face.
Cooper says there is still a question mark over whether Yates will be available to take on United at the City Ground. The 25-year-old had been replaced by debutant Danilo on the south coast, but Jack Colback and Lewis O’Brien could also come into contention for a starting spot if Yates does not get the green light.
“He was just feeling a bit unwell during the game. Whether there’s a bit of a virus going on or what not, we’re getting to the bottom of,” Cooper said of Yates, ahead of the midweek clash.
Target Tete?
Nottingham Forest are one of three Premier League clubs with an interest in signing Brazilian winger Tête, according to reports.
The 22-year-old is said to be targeting a move to the English top flight this month, with the Reds among the clubs showing a strong interest in the Lyon player, who has scored six times in 17 games, claims the Daily Mail.
Tête is currently on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk but is thought to be available in this window if terms can be agreed with both the Ukrainian club and Lyon. The French club have the option of signing him permanently for £17.5million but it is not clear if they will activate it.
Forest's East Midlands rivals Leicester City have been heavily linked with a move for the player, while Everton are also said to be interested. He was also linked with Southampton last January.
Loan deal
Nottingham Forest defender Loic Mbe Soh has left the club on a loan deal for the second half of the season.
The Franco-Cameroonian has linked up with French side Guingamp, who play in Ligue 2, until the end of the current campaign before returning to the City Ground in the summer. Reports linking him with a move to the Brittany outfit first emerged in early December.
Mbe Soh has barely had a sniff of first-team action this season, featuring mainly for the U23s' side instead and will get much need playing time with the Red and Blacks.
Guingamp confirmed the loan signing on Twitter on Monday afternoon. They were keen to get a deal done after their starting centre-back, Pierre Lemonnier, ruptured a cruciate ligament in one of his knees.
What transfer business should Forest do before the window closes? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT
