This article is part of Football League World's 'Regular Punter' series, where we gather original opinions from select, passionate fans of the clubs concerned on matters surrounding their team and share them with a wider audience…

According to the Nottinghamshire Live webchat (11/10/19, 14:08pm), Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is expected to depart the City Ground in the January transfer window after becoming surplus to requirements under Sabri Lamouchi.

The 32-year-old is yet to make an appearance for Forest this season having fallen behind the likes of Brice Samba, Aro Muric and Jordan Smith in the pecking order on Trentside.

With his contract at the City Ground not set to expire for another year, though, a January exit looks likely for the Romanian shot-stopper, who was linked with a move to Olympiacos in the summer transfer window.

Nottinghamshire Live journalist Barry Cooper said: "He was reluctant to move in the summer and remains at the club. He’s just not involved in the squad and is free to move elsewhere. Seems a shame for him to be kicking his heels around the training ground after such a good season last term. A move in January would surely be favourite for the Romanian."

Football League World's Nottingham Forest fan pundit, Grant Brindley, has offered his thoughts on Pantilimon's potential departure from the City Ground, and he admitted that he would be pleased to let him leave.

"I would be happy to see him go as he isn't going to play, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him go as he isn't getting in to any matchday squads.

"I would say he is third or fourth choice at the moment, so his departure would suit both parties as it will be another player on a decent wage off the wage bill."

Pantilimon was a regular for Forest under both Aitor Karanka and Martin O'Neill last season - the gigantic shot-stopper made 44 appearances in the Championship, and often divided opinions amongst the Reds faithful over the course of the season.

But this season under Lamouchi, Brice Samba has come in and been an absolute revelation since arriving on Trentside, and was recently named as the club's Player of the Month for September.

This makes it practically impossible for Pantilimon to break into the team with so many talented goalkeepers ahead of him in the pecking order, and whilst Brindley praised Pantilimon's qualities, he spoke of his admiration for Samba.

"When we signed Pantilimon, he was definitely someone we needed - a goalkeeper who would add a bit of presence as Jordan Smtih was getting badly exposed.

"He did keep a lot of clean sheets last season, but he never really looked convincing, and made some bad errors. The team, especially the defence did not look too have much confidence in him either.

"Samba is definitely the better keeper of the two. He looks much more assured than Pantilimon, has made some very important good saves, and his distribution is a lot better too.

"Hopefully Samba can go on to establish the number one shirt for many years to come. He has really impressed me."