It has been no secret in recent seasons that Nottingham Forest’s defence has hampered progress at The City Ground, and members of their back-line have overseen several managerial departures.

These issues have still plagued Mark Warburton’s Forest side since he took over in March, and he will look to bring in new blood to freshen things up at the back.

With plentiful transfer funds promised under new owner, Evangelos Marinakis, the manager could do worse than to tempt away Brentford centre half, Harlee Dean.

Dean has been ever-present at the heart of the Bee’s rear-guard since arriving in 2012, making over 40 appearances in three of those seasons, including an impressive top half finish last term.

A move for Dean may not break the bank either, although he is reported to be in talks with Brentford over a new deal, he has just a year remaining on his contract at Griffin Park.

One thing is for sure, Warburton must find a solution to his side’s poor defence, the second worst in the league for conceding last season with 78, only beaten by Rotherham who conceded close to a century of goals.

Matt Mills, Jack Hobbs and Michael Mancienne have seemingly been in rotation with each other at the heart defences that leak a great volume of goals, although the breakthrough of youngster Joe Worrall does bring about some promise.

Mark Warburton may see the beginning of a new era at Forest in terms of the ownership as an opportunity to phase out the old guard and put an end to years of defensive calamities by bringing some much needed steel, and Harlee Dean is a perfect example of that type of acquisition.