Nottingham Forest are currently on a promotion charge as the Reds look for a return to the Premier League.

It has been over 20 years since Forest were last in the top flight of the English pyramid.

But Steve Cooper has got the team firing on all cylinders coming into the final stages of this campaign.

Forest have won six of their last seven league games and now sit 5th in the table with five games still to play.

The gap to 2nd place Bournemouth is now only seven points and Cooper’s side have their sights set on the misfiring Cherries.

This weekend sees the Reds take the trip to face Peterborough United, where three points could take the team to 3rd in the table if results elsewhere go in their favour.

Forest will be hoping to gain even further ground on their promotion rivals with a statement victory.

But for now, we are taking a look at eight of the club’s best academy graduates and where they are now… 

The Jamaican international made his breakthrough into senior football with Forest in 2003, where he would become a first team regular until 2012. 

Morgan, now 38-years old, moved on to local rivals Leicester City where he eventually became club captain, making over 250 appearances for the Foxes.

His crowning achievement was undoubtedly lifting the Premier League trophy under Claudio Ranieri in the famous 2015-16 title win.

Morgan called it quits on a remarkable career in 2021, ending his career with the club which he won the league crown with.

Bamford made his Forest debut on December 31 in 2011 in a 1-0 home loss to Cardiff City.

But the forward would leave the Reds by the end of that season, signing for Premier League outfit Chelsea.

The striker endured several stints on loan while with the London club, including a stint with Forest’s fierce rivals Derby County in 2014.

Bamford eventually left Chelsea for Middlesbrough in 2017 before signing for Leeds United in 2018, where he currently leads the line in the Premier League.

The Chile international made his start at senior level football with Forest, making his debut in January 2017 during a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United.

His first goal soon followed in February, scoring the winner against Aston Villa in the late stages of the game.

In June he signed a long-term contract with the club but by August 2018 he was sent out on loan to Blackburn Rovers.

The Lancashire club made the move permanent in January 2019 and he now leads the line of Tony Mowbray’s side as promotion rivals to the Reds.

Darlow was signed up to the Forest academy in 2016 having been released by Aston Villa.

The goalkeeper made over 60 appearances for the Reds during his time at the City Ground before departing in 2014 for Newcastle United.

Darlow did spend a stint back on loan with Forest in the aftermath of his permanent switch to St James’ Park.

But Darlow has maintained his place at Newcastle, where he has played over 80 times for the Premier League club.

Dawson turned professional with Nottingham Forest in the year 2000, eventually making his debut in April 2002 in a 3-2 loss at home to Walsall.

The defender left the club in 2005 for Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, where he went on to play over 200 times.

The now 38-year old left Spurs for Hull City in 2014 before making his return to Forest in 2018.

Dawson played a further 28 times for the Reds before hanging up his boots in 2021.

The full-back made his first team debut with Forest in August 2016, starting in a 4-3 win over Burton Albion just a day after signing a three-year deal with the club.

Cash went on to play over 120 times for the City Ground club before departing for Aston Villa in 2020.

The 24-year old has become a mainstay in the side under both Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.

Earlier this season, Cash declared as a Poland international and even made his debut for the country during the most recent November international break.

Lascelles is a Derby native and came through as a Forest academy graduate making his debut in January 2012 in a 2-0 defeat to Burnley.

The defender enjoyed a brief stint on loan with Stevenage, and made over 30 appearances for his parent club before departing permanently for Newcastle United in 2014.

The now 28-year old did go back out on loan to the Reds during the 2014-15 season, but has become a regular starter at St James’ Park since his return to the Premier League club.

The forward came through at Forest having been scouted at the age of only eight-years old.

Burke turned professional in September 2014 and eventually made his debut for the Reds a few days later in a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Scotland international made 25 appearances for Forest before leaving the club in 2016.

Burke has played for the likes of RB Leipzig, West Brom, Celtic and Alaves before eventually signing for Sheffield United in 2020.

Burke is currently out on loan with Millwall in the Championship.