Nottingham Forest have been dealt a significant blow with the news top scorer Lewis Grabban faces at least two months on the sidelines.
The striker had to be helped off the pitch in the final minutes of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City after suffering an ankle injury, and was left wearing a protective boot.
He may yet need to undergo surgery, but either way, is unlikely to feature for the Reds again until towards the end of the campaign.
It is a sucker punch for Steve Cooper’s side as they look to challenge for promotion, with Grabban having netted 13 goals in 29 games this term.
Transfer verdict
Head coach Steve Cooper was left with mixed feelings as he reflected on Nottingham Forest’s January transfer window.
The Reds brought in five signings, in strikers Keinan Davis and Sam Surridge, and defenders Steve Cook, Richie Laryea and Jonathan Panzo.
A number of players also moved on, either on loan or on a permanent basis, including club record signing Joao Carvalho and forward Lyle Taylor.
But Forest were unable to add a winger to their ranks, having targeted Millwall’s Jed Wallace and Blackpool’s Josh Bowler last month - including making a final, late push for the latter on deadline day.
Bowler bids
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has had his say on Nottingham Forest’s unsuccessful attempt to sign Josh Bowler during the January transfer window.
The Reds had multiple bids turned down for the Seasiders winger last month, making a last push to land him on deadline day, having cooled their interest in Millwall’s Jed Wallace.
Championship rivals Bournemouth were also said to be keen on Bowler in the final hours of the window, in what was a dramatic finish to January.
The 22-year-old ended up staying put at Bloomfield Road, however, despite also being linked with Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.
Transfer talk
Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Millwall winger Jed Wallace fell short during the January transfer window.
The Reds a re believed to have submitted several bids for the 27-year-old which were all rebuffed by the London club, despite the fact Wallace is out of contract in the summer when he will be able to leave on a free.
Wallace has just returned to action following injury and has insisted his main priority over the last month was getting fit again, rather than sorting out his future.
“My stance was that I was looking forward to playing football again. I was down in the dumps with my injury,” he told the BBC’s Football Daily podcast.
