Reds Aiming To Grabb A Striker

Back-up need if Lewis is crocked

- Chris Dunlavy

In an ideal world, Sabri Lamouchi would have unleashed Eddie Nketiah on Luton Town this afternoon.

The Arsenal forward, recalled by the Gunners after a loan spell at Leeds turned sour, was Nottingham Forest’s prime January target before a series of impressive training sessions convinced Mikel Arteta to keep him at the Emirates.

Jonathan Kodjia, too, might have made his bow today. The Villa striker, out of contract in the summer, knew of Forest’s interest but opted for semi-retirement in Qatar.

Moves for Glenn Murray and Che Adams have been rebuffed. Dwight Gayle, of Newcastle, is out for three months.

Lamouchi and the Forest hierarchy have now enquired after Watford striker Andre Gray and Crystal Palace forward Connor Wickham.

Both men, however, have rival suitors; Leeds want Gray to fill the void left by Nketiah whilst Sheffield Wednesday see Wickham as the solution to Steven Fletcher’s long-term absence.