After experiencing an underwhelming 2020/21 campaign in the Championship, it was hardly a shock when Nottingham Forest bolstered their squad by drafting in a host of fresh faces in the summer transfer window.

One of the areas that former manager Chris Hughton opted to strengthen was the right-back position.

Having waved goodbye to Cyrus Christie, Hughton was incredibly short of options at full-back and thus he decided to make moves for Djed Spence, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Mohamed Drager.

Spence has since emerged as a key player for Forest as he has made the right-back role his own following his temporary switch from Middlesbrough.

Osei-Tutu meanwhile has seen his game-time limited by injury as he has only featured on three occasions in the Championship this season.

As for Drager, he has unfortunately failed to make a positive impact at the City Ground since completing a permanent move to the Reds in August.

Yet to make a senior appearance for his new side, the 25-year-old has only been included in the club's match-day squad on one occasion during the current campaign.

Currently behind Spence and Osei-Tutu in the pecking order at Forest, Drager has recently been linked with a move away from the club.

According to Tunisian news outlet Gnet news, ES Tunis are believed to be interested in signing the right-back in the January transfer window.

If this report turns out to be true, Cooper must not sanction an exit for Drager until he lines up a potential replacement for the defender.

With Spence being linked with a potential return to Boro, Forest will once again be short of options if Drager also departs as Osei-Tutu will be their only senior option at right-back moving forward.

When you consider that Osei-Tutu has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, there is no guarantee that he will be able to maintain his fitness during the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign.

Keeping this in mind, Drager may need to be utilised as a back-up option by Forest if Spence is recalled by Middlesbrough next month.

Drager should only be allowed to leave if Cooper has already lined up a potential swoop for another right-back who has an excellent track-record of delivering the goods at this level.

By nailing his transfer recruitment, the Forest boss could potentially guide the club to a top-six finish in the New Year.