With the January transfer window fast approaching, Nottingham Forest are already looking to bolster their squad ahead of the second half of the season with the addition of Andre Claro, according to reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola via the Nottingham Post.

Forest currently lie 16th in the Sky Bet Championship and the Play-Offs are now becoming increasingly unlikely for Montanier's men, given the form of the top six.

An embarrassing 3-0 defeat at the iPro Stadium on Sunday to local rivals, Derby County, saw Montanier come out and slam his team, but without the services of the injured duo, Britt Assombalonga and Henri Lansbury, they were always going to struggle.

Montanier hasn't had a huge amount of time to bring in his own players and Forest have been under restrictions on who they can sign of late, but now their embargo has been lifted, they can try and improve their squad, and with the new backers, they could have money to spend.

Here, FLW's Chris Wilson will look at the potential new Forest front-line including this Portuguese striker....

 

CAM: Henri Lansbury

Lansbury is the driving force in the Nottingham Forest team, and is at his best when just behind the strikers.

His ability to create something out of nothing is what makes him such a key influence in Philippe Montanier's side.

It will no doubt be a struggle to keep hold of the former Arsenal man in January, but if he remains at the City Ground, he'll no doubt be a first-teamer every single week.

ST: Britt Assombalonga

Assombalonga has been plagued with injury of late, but when he does play, he is a huge goal threat for Forest.

Much was made of Forest’s decision to sign Assombalonga but the goals he has already scored for them, has paid some of his huge fee back.

The former Peterborough hitman is an all-round striker.

He can hold the ball up and bring others into play, as well as being able to run in behind, so he is extremely difficult for defenders to mark.

If he could forge a partnership with Claro, they could propel Forest up the table.

ST: Andre Claro

Andre Claro has been linked with a January move to The City Ground and if he was to join, he could be part of a clinical front two.

Montanier has been playing with one striker and Ben Osborn in behind but if he had two quality striking options, he may change his system.

The former Portuguese Under-19 international boasts a respectable record with Vitoria Setubal, scoring 14 goals in 39 games for the Primeira Liga side.

Like Assombalonga, Claro is the all-round striker, but his game is more about holding the ball up to bring the midfield into play, which means the likes of Lansbury could become more prevalent for Forest.