^ CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE THE 5 BIGGEST EFL STORIES OF THE DAY ^

Another busy week in the EFL has seen plenty of action off the pitch ahead of another big weekend of action, here we take a look at the FIVE biggest EFL stories of the dat....

SPFL giants Celtic and Rangers have started tracking £1million-rated Carlisle United defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to a report in the Scottish Sun, after the 6ft 4in centre-back burst onto the scene with the Cumbrian's this season.

Branthwaite, 17, may have only burst onto the scene with the League Two outfit this season, but already a number of clubs are monitoring his progress.

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson could soon have a decision to make with both Hull City and Huddersfield Town keen on signing attacker Sammie Szmodics in the January transfer window, according to a report on BristolLive.

Both Championship clubs are keen to take Szmodics, 24, on loan deal until the end of the season, with the former Colchester United midfielder struggling for game time at the Robins.

Nottingham Forest are believed to be interested in French striker Guillaume Hoarau, according to Swiss publication Nau, who is currently on the books of Swiss side Young Boys.

The 35-year-old has an extremely impressive goalscoring record, with 116 goals in 172 appearances in the Swiss Super League, while also contributing 35 assists in this time becoming a key-player fore his side.

Ipswich Town continue to perform well in League One this season currently a clear second to Wycombe who they trail by five points, but who they have two games in-hand on.

But Tractor Boys manager Paul Lambert may have a problem on the horizon, with Fulham keeping tabs on his midfielder Flynn Downes and QPR watching defender Luke Woolfenden, according to a report on TWTD.

Watford are continuing their search for a new boss ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester City following the sacking of Quique Sanchez Flores following the weekend's 2-1 defeat at fellow struggler's Southampton.

But one person who looks like they will not be heading to Vicarage Road is Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi, who French media outlet L'Equipe is reporting has rejected an approach from Watford.