Nottingham Forest could be heading towards a defensive crisis during their Championship opener against Coventry City.
The Reds are short of options at both left-back and right-back following a number of exits this summer.
Yuri Ribeiro (contract not extended), Nicholas Ioannou (loaned to Como) and Tyler Blackett (permanent transfer to FC Cincinatti) have all departed the City Ground already in the transfer window.
It leaves Gaetan Bong as the only senior option at left-back, but he is expected to be only a short-term plug.
Jordan Gabriel started the opening game of the season at Coventry as a right-back but the 22-year-old remains inexperienced in the Championship.
Forest academy graduate Jayden Richardson is also available to Chris Hughton but concerns are now even more pressing.
Joe Worrall missed out on the fixture altogether due to a calf injury, whilst Loic Mbe Soh also had to be substituted before half-time with a reported groin injury.
Jack Colback has played as a left-back before, but the 31-year-old is a much more natural as a midfielder than in defence.
It leaves Hughton with even greater selection frustrations, with improvements already needed in midfield and defence.
The Reds have been linked with a number of players in the transfer window, but have made only two additions so far - goalkeeper Ethan Horvath from Club Brugges and Philip Zinckernagel from Watford on-loan for the season.
