Boss Chris Hughton says he has been keeping a close eye on how Nottingham Forest’s youngsters are faring out on loan, with a view to looking ahead to next term.
The Reds have several promising talents who have been building up game time and getting experience elsewhere.
Some have already had a taste of first-team action at the City Ground, while others will hope they might get the chance to impress during pre-season.
The likes of Brennan Johnson at Lincoln City, Jordan Gabriel with Blackpool, Will Swan at Port Vale, Tyrese Fornah for Plymouth Argyle and, prior to his injury, Marcus McGuane at Oxford United, have been able to further their development in recent months.
Asked how much he is able to keep tabs on the club’s up-and-coming players, Hughton told NottinghamshireLive: “I must admit, predominantly it is the young players out on loan who have mostly been on my mind - the Under-23 or Under-21 age players who are out on loan.
“I’ve spoken to them a few times since I’ve been here.
“They are the ones who have mostly been on my mind, because they are the ones who come into my thoughts for the summer and next season - how are they doing?
“I try to get to as many Under-23 games as possible.
“Gary (Brazil, director of football development) is based here at the training ground and I have regular conversations with him, and with Reidy (Under-23s head coach Andy Reid), as regards who’s doing well.
“But it’s very difficult to keep tabs on everybody, especially when there has to be such an emphasis on what we’re doing at first-team level at the moment.”
Forest will look to make sure of Championship safety in their final eight games of the campaign.
The focus then will turn to putting together a squad capable of challenging at the opposite end of the table.
Asked if any of the young players could potentially make the step up to the senior set-up come August, Hughton added: “I hope so.
“The emphasis has been on the ones who are out on loan at the moment.
“I’d have to say, most of them are doing well.
“In particular, I’m pleased a couple who hadn’t been playing so regularly are playing more - like Jordan Gabriel at Blackpool. He was in and out of the team in the early part of the season.
“Tyrese, at Plymouth, is playing very regularly, as is Brennan.
“I try to keep on top of things as much as I can.”
