DUFFY TRANSFER GOSSIP LOOKS WIDE OF MARK
ATTACKING PLAYER IS STILL ON HUGHTON WANTED LIST
NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Chris Hughton says he is not expecting any transfer business to go through before tomorrow’s Championship clash against Millwall at the City Ground.
So far this window, the Reds have extended winger Anthony Knockaert’s loan spell until the end of the season, while defenders Tendayi Darikwa and Nicholas Ioannou have both departed.
Hughton still hopes to strengthen his attacking resources and is also believed to be keen on bringing in a midfielder, as well as trim numbers in order to work with a smaller squad.
But he says any reinforcements are unlikely to be in place before the weekend, when his team will look to make it seven games unbeaten.
“At this moment, if I had to be honest with you, the answer is no,” he said, when asked if incomings or outgoings were likely in the next couple of days.
“We are making a lot of calls and watching a lot of videos. A lot is going into the thought processes.
“But probably I would be the same as most managers, and I generally still feel that the majority of the work will be done in the second half of January – and possibly even in the last week.
“That’s normal. Clubs are holding on to players and making decisions on the futures of some of their players when they know what’s coming in.
“If you said to me, do I see anything happening before the weekend, the answer would be, no, I don’t.
“Anthony Knockaert being finalised is a big plus for us and we look forward to him having a good second half of the season.
“But we are trying and we will continue to do that.”
Forest continue to target an attacking player this month, with the decision to extend Knockaert’s loan not affecting their plans.
The Fulham winger has agreed to remain at the City Ground for the rest of the season, after his initial deal came to an end last week.
But with the Reds struggling for goals this term, Hughton is keen to bolster his resources still further.
“It would probably be no surprise to say that we are looking in the offensive area,” he added.
“We are delighted to get Anthony done and we have Luke Freeman, who is on his way back (from injury). And we know what we have in the wide areas in Alex Mighten, Joe Lolley and Sammy Ameobi.
“I know what I would like to do but on probably 95 percent of occasions, you aren’t able to do exactly what you would like to do.
“If we finish the window and we’ve managed to secure what we would regard as an offensive player, who can maybe play in a couple of positions, then I think we would be relatively happy.
“It’s just trying to get the right balance of what we need.
“But Anthony certainly helps us in our thought processes.”
While Forest are looking to do some business during the January transfer window, it’s not in the centre of defence.
And the Post understands speculation linking the Reds with Celtic defender Shane Duffy is wide of the mark. Reports had emerged suggesting Forest were ready to swoop for the centre-back, who is on loan at the Scottish giants from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Reds boss Chris Hughton had worked with Duffy during his time at the Seagulls but it is understood a reunion is not on the cards this month, with the Irishman not currently a target for the club. Celtic are said to have paid a loan fee of just under £2m for Duffy and are contributing a large chunk of his £45,000-a-week wages. However, the player has endured a torrid time in recent weeks and his future at Celtic is said to be in doubt.