With the transfer window set to open in January, it will be intriguing to see whether Nottingham Forest opt to engage in any business.

Whilst manager Steve Cooper may be tempted to stamp his authority on the club's squad by drafting in some fresh faces, he may also decide to cut ties with some of his players.

Forest could also be put in a situation where they will need to fend off interest in some of their key players.

Here, we have decided to take a look at TWO players who could leave Forest next month...

Joao Carvalho

Despite showing glimpses of his talent during his debut season with the club, Joao Carvalho has been unable to establish himself as a mainstay in Forest's starting eleven in recent years.

Following a loan spell at Almeria last season, the attacking midfielder would have been hoping to feature regularly for the Reds in the current term.

However, due to the form illustrated by Philip Zinckernagel, Carvalho has been limited to just five appearances in all competitions and has not been selected by Cooper since the Welshman was handed over the reins at the City Ground.

If Carvalho is not part of Cooper's plans for the future, it wouldn't be at all surprising if the 24-year-old is sold by Forest in January as he has ultimately failed to deliver the goods on a consistent basis during his time at the club.

 

 

Djed Spence

Soccer Football - Championship - Birmingham City v Nottingham Forest - St Andrew's, Birmingham, Britain - October 2, 2021 Nottingham Forest's Djed Spence celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images/Paul Burrows EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account rep

Signed by former Forest boss Chris Hughton in the summer transfer window, Djed Spence has managed to produce a host of impressive displays for the club in the Championship this season.

In the 15 league games that he has played for the Reds, the right-back has managed to provide two direct goal contributions and is currently averaging a respectable WhoScored match rating of 6.94 in the second-tier.

With Middlesbrough opting to replace Neil Warnock with Chris Wilder last month, there is a chance that Spence could be recalled by his parent-club in January as there is reportedly a clause included in the original loan agreement, according to The Athletic.

Cooper will need to draft up a list of replacements for Spence as there is no guarantee that the 21-year-old will stay at Forest for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign.