Former Nottingham Forest player Kenny Burns has suggested that the Reds should make a January move for Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle, and allow Rafa Mir to return to Wolves to help them fund the deal.

Nottingham Forest have been reliant on Lewis Grabban to lead the line for them so far this season, and the 31-year-old has been a key performer for Sabri Lamouchi's side scoring eight goals in 18 Championship appearances, but the Reds are in need of adding to their forward options and have been linked with a move for Gayle in January.

Forest's need for another striker in the winter window has become evident the more the campaign has progressed, with Mir playing very limited minutes and struggling to make an impression since arriving at the City Ground on loan from Premier League Wolves in the summer.

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Speaking to the Nottingham Post, Burns suggested that Forest should look to bring in Gayle on loan in January and that the Reds should potentially allow Mir to return to Wolves to help fund the move, saying: "Forest are clearly short up front and are basically relying on Lewis Grabban for the goals as their only striker.

"I’d send Rafa Mir back to Wolves in January, or before I could get away with it. He’s just not up to it - I watch him and wonder if he’s ever played the game before.

"If Forest could get Gayle on loan, pay half his wages which would be around £30,000 if you believe reports and a fee of about £3m of £4m then I think that would be good business.

"He’s a proven finisher in this division having netted 20-odd for Newcastle previously before bagging 24 last season for West Brom, so clearly knows where the net is, he'll be chomping at the bit do get playing football again."

The Verdict

Burns is right to suggest that Gayle would prove to be a very wise signing by Nottingham Forest, with the experienced striker guaranteeing goals in the Championship, having netted 20 plus goals for each of his last two clubs in the English second tier.

However, Gayle's wages and Newcastle's transfer valuation could prove to be too high for Nottingham Forest to be able to secure him on a permanent deal, so the best option could well be to secure a loan move for the forward, which would allow him to get some first team minutes in the second half of the campaign and then the Magpies could look to sell him in the summer.

It is interesting to see Burns suggest that Forest should send Mir back to Wolves, and there is certainly a case for that if it would mean that more funds are available to bring in Gayle, you could argue that Mir has not really had the chance to impress, but there will be a reason why Lamouchi will be giving him so few minutes and it could be best for both parties if he leaves in January.