This 34-year-old could be the perfect short-term replacement for Assombalonga at Nottingham Forest

There were few complaints from Nottingham Forest’s supporters when Britt Assombalonga completed his move to Middlesbrough earlier this week, mainly due to the mammoth £15m transfer-fee that came with it.

Forest’s fans will expect that money to be reinvested and Assombalonga’s goals to be replaced by Mark Warburton ahead of the 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

The Forest boss appears to be on the lookout, with reports suggesting that Forest have made a £2m bid for Newcastle United’s 34-year-old striker, Daryl Murphy.

Murphy is coming to the end of his career, and cannot be seen as Assombalonga’s long-term replacement, but he will still be a very useful asset to Forest in the Championship.

The Irishman’s record speaks for itself – when he is given an opportunity to play regular football, he scores goals.

At Newcastle last season Murphy was limited to just seven Championship starts and 15 appearances across the campaign. However, those appearances brought five goals, with the striker scoring crucial goals when the Magpies needed him, most notably against promotion rivals, Huddersfield Town.

Prior to his spell in the North East, Murphy was prolific for Ipswich Town, and after arriving at Portman Road on a permanent deal in 2013, the striker went on to score 50 goals over three seasons for the Tractor Boys.

If Forest can get Murphy to the City Ground this summer, he could become an excellent signing for Warburton’s men.

As the striker showed last season in the Championship, he has an eye for a goal and if Forest can get the best out of him like Newcastle and Ipswich have done previously, he could become the perfect short-term replacement for Assombalonga.