Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper says Braian Ojeda and Mohamed Drager are making "good progress" as they continue to build up their fitness.

Ojeda and Drager were deadline day arrivals at the City Ground, joining from Olimpia and Olympiacos respectively.

The duo had to self isolate having represented their countries, Paraguay and Tunisia, away on international duty in red-list countries.

They are, then, yet to make their first-team debuts for Forest, but did play in the Under-23s' clash with Burnley a fortnight ago.

With another international break now been and gone, Ojeda and Drager are pushing closer to earning a place in the first-team squad.

Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Cooper said: "They are part of the first-team training group every single day. I did allude to them doing some individual programmes when we spoke before the break, but that’s in addition to working with the team as well.

"They are very much part of the squad here. We’re just trying to get them ready so when they are called upon, they are as ready as they can be.

"Braian has come from a long way away. It’s not just about adjusting to the football, it’s about adjusting to life on a different continent.

"We have to be a little bit patient with that, but he’s making good progress, he looks really happy, he’s fitted in well socially and from a football point of view.

"We’re really pleased."

The Verdict

It would be a real boost for Forest to get these two players fit and available for selection as soon as possible.

Ojeda in particular looked a real gem in the U23s game. He looks an agile, tenacious midfielder who is good on the ball and willing to press.

Djed Spence needs competition at right-back, too, so hopefully Drager will provide him with just that once fully fit.