With their Championship safety all but secured, Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton will now look to cast one eye on the summer transfer window.

The Reds' sights are on a top-half finish with only six points between them and 12th, compared to the 13 points between them and the relegation zone, and Hughton will be keen to see his side end the season strongly.

Upon his arrival at the City Ground in October, Hughton had been left with 13 new signings at his disposal, all made by predecessor Sabri Lamouchi. He only had a matter of days to maneuverer his way through the squad and bring in his own players, with Anthony Knockaert arriving on loan from Fulham.

In 31 days of the January transfer window, Filip Krovinovic, James Garner and Glenn Murray arrived, with the manager trimming his squad as Nicholas Ioannou, Tendayi Darikwa, Zach Clough and Miguel Guerrero all departed.

Hughton will be keen to make his mark on the squad over the course of this summer, and here, we take a look at eight players who the club may sell or release...

Hefele is one who will definitely be on his way out this summer.

The German centre-half arrived at the City Ground from Huddersfield Town in 2018, but hasn't featured for the Reds since New Year's Day in 2019.

Injuries have played their part in that, but the centre-half didn't make a single appearance under Sabri Lamouchi last season and is nowhere to be seen this season.

With Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall establishing themselves as arguably one of the best defensive partnerships in the league at the moment, Hefele finds himself at the bottom of the pecking order, and with his contract up in a couple of months, it won't be extended.

Dawson's situation is an interesting one.

The defender is yet to make an appearance under Chris Hughton and was only a bit-part player at times under Sabri Lamouchi due to injury last season.

Dawson hasn't made a single appearance this season, and at 37 years of age, it's fair to say that he hasn't got long left in his playing career.

He won't be offered new terms as a player; but whether there is scope for a coaching role at the City Ground remains to be seen.

Steven Reid and Paul Trollope are Hughton's current right-hand men, but Dawson could see himself supporting former teammate Andy Reid in the Under-23s'.

Ribeiro has had a tough season in all honesty.

He was one of Forest's standout performers under Sabri Lamouchi at left-back last season, after working his way into the team ahead of Jack Robinson.

This season, he has failed to replicate those performances, with Gaetan Bong and Tyler Blackett providing strong competition at left-back.

Tyler Blackett has been impressive in recent weeks and looks set to end the season as Forest's first-choice option in that position.

Ribeiro is out of contract, and could be moved on amid recent reports saying he has had approaches from Portugal.

Samba Sow is another one who was excellent last season but has failed to replicate that form this season.

In fairness, Sow was hampered by injuries last season and was unable to make plenty of appearances.

This season, those injuries have limited him to 15 appearances for the Reds, but even though he has been fit in recent weeks, he hasn't made the squad.

At 31 years of age, Sow, who turns 32 in April, doesn't represent a young, energetic, up and coming option in the middle of the park.

There's every chance of him leaving this summer.

Murray's future is a difficult one.

The striker joined Forest from Brighton and Hove Albion on a permanent short-term deal until the end of the season in January, after his loan deal at Watford was terminated.

He scored a brace on his full debut for Forest in a 3-0 win at Wycombe, but he hasn't scored since.

Murray hasn't made a league start since last month and has been an unused substitute in two of their last three games.

At 37, he isn't one for the long term and is not far off retirement, and if he had scored a few more goals, he may have given Chris Hughton more of a decision to make.

Diallo has proven to be a bit of a bizarre signing for Forest.

The goalkeeper joined on a free transfer in the summer, but before last month's home clash with Norwich City, he hadn't been named in a single matchday squad.

In fact, Diallo was behind George Shelvey in the pecking order, with Brice Samba and Jordan Smith battling it out for the number one jersey.

Diallo's contract expires at the end of the season, but the club do have the option to extend his deal by a further year.

It's highly unlikely, though, that that option will be activated this summer.

Moving onto players who could be sold, Joe Worrall could be one of those players.

Worrall has transformed Forest's defence and has forged a solid understanding alongside Scott McKenna in the heart of the back line.

Worrall has endured a frustrating season with injuries, but Forest look stronger at the back whenever he's on the pitch.

Premier League interest is anticipated in Worrall after Burnley were heavily linked with the defender last summer and in January.

As Forest look to raise funds after a year of being hit with COVID, they could sell him to get a quick income.

McGuane is likely to leave this summer.

The midfielder joined Forest from Barcelona last season, but is yet to make a first-team appearance and has been a regular for the Under-23s'.

This season, he has thrived in League One on loan with Oxford United, before a thigh injury ended his season prematurely.

It is claimed that Oxford are in talks to sign McGuane on a permanent basis though, and a permanent move to the Kassam Stadium could be in the offing.

It would be a surprise to see him leave, but manager Karl Robinson seems confident that a deal will happen.