Nottingham Forest legend Kenny Burns has called for the club to sell Lewis Grabban after his poor performance in their opening weekend defeat, which has drawn an angry response from many Reds fans.

Sabri Lamouchi's side lost 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion in their Championship opener at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Grabban was Forest’s top-scorer last season, grabbing 17 goals in 41 appearances, but, in his column for the Nottingham Post, Burns called for the striker to be sold before the end of the transfer window.

He wrote: “I just felt like he wasn’t interested, it’s a real concern with time running out to change things.

“I’ve written in this column previously that I felt he didn’t look happy, that he looked frustrated and now I feel it’s something Forest must actively deal with.

“If this club wants promotion, then that’s something you can’t do it on the cheap. It costs good money and trying to move Grabban out of the City Ground is paramount, as is replacing him with proven quality.”

Burns suggested that Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle would be an ideal replacement.

He explained: “Dwight Gayle would be among my choices for his ability to score goals in the Championship, if not for his ability to win dodgy penalties.

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“He was excellent at West Brom last season scoring 24 times for the Baggies – and he’s got the movement and ability to be a success at Forest, he’d get the crowd off their seat.”

The Forest legend’s comments have not gone down well with many fans of the club, some of whom took to Twitter to denounce his suggestion.

Read the reaction of Reds supporters here: