Head coach Sabri Lamouchi has a message for prospective Nottingham Forest signings - ‘it is the right time’ to come to the City Ground.
The Frenchman admits it could be a “struggle” for the Reds if they are unable to bolster their attacking resources during the January transfer window.
But he remains confident of bringing players in - with a striker the priority, to shoulder the burden of finding the back of the net with Lewis Grabban.
“I think it is the right time to come to Forest,” said Lamouchi, whose team sit fourth in the Championship table ahead of Saturday’s trip to Reading.
“This club is big, for its history, for the trophies and for the fans. But it has been too much time without playing at the highest level, competing at a high level and for trophies.
“But I think young players need to sign where they have a chance to play. And at Nottingham Forest they have more of a chance to play.
“If players want to win, if they want to share emotion and achieve some goals, they need to sign where they feel that.
“And I hope Nottingham Forest, with what we have done until now, is the right place.
“But the trip is not finished, the season is long.”
The Reds have been linked with a number of front men, though it is understood Dwight Gayle, Che Adams, Glenn Murray and Eddie Nketiah are among those on their shortlist of targets.
Grabban has netted 14 league goals so far this term, with Joe Lolley the club’s next top scorer on four.
Lamouchi has previously said Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Rafa Mir is likely to return to his parent side, which would leave Grabban as the only recognised forward in the squad - making reinforcements crucial.
“Yes, we would struggle (without a new addition),” Lamouchi said.
“The January window is a difficult market. It is difficult for Forest, but it is difficult for everybody.
“We just need to be patient and try to work.
“I know our people are working hard. They are traveling a lot, they are making a lot of calls and meetings.
“But it is not easy to find the right deal, when you take into account club, players, Championship, target, Premier League.
“It is not easy but we are working hard.
“For sure, a lot of clubs are going to be looking for a striker.
“But at the same time, I cannot complain because we are lucky - Grabban is here with us and is doing very well. He has scored a lot of goals.
“But if I have one more option - a striker to play with him or to give him some rest, it could be a fantastic option and opportunity for me.”
He added: “I believe we will find the right players.
“I believe in my squad. I believe in my players. I believe in my job. I believe in my club and I believe in my people to achieve our targets.
“I will do my job.
“But of course, the reality is it is so hard for everybody, not just for me.”
And the manager has stressed that finding signings with the right personality, who can slot into a dressing room with a strong team spirit, is just as important as finding someone with quality.
“Football is played with the legs, heart and the mind,” Lamouchi said.
“The heart is the most important, but the mind can change everything - the mentality, the attitude, be positive or negative.
“The small details can change your life. The small details can get you three points or not.
“We must be ready for that.
“It is a very difficult window. But at the same time, we must find some options.
“If we don’t find some options, I don’t want to bring people in just because we need players.
“We need quality players. We need players to help the team so we can play the second part of the season with quality.”
But amid all the speculation about who might be coming to and the City Ground, Lamouchi’s focus remains on what happens on the pitch.
“My job is to be manager with my players and to focus on the next game,” he said. “The next one is Reading, then Luton, then Reading again and Brentford, then Birmingham and Leeds.
“The club are working hard to find the right players with the right profile.
“We have met together many times and they know exactly what we need, exactly what I would like to have in the squad.
“It is really important to have the right profile because we are where we are because the dressing room is all together.
“We don’t want to disturb that.
“We don’t need just more players, we need quality and players who can add value, to help us to achieve and win more games."
