We still don’t know when this season will end, with reports suggesting football is likely to be suspended further due to the coronavirus outbreak.
But whatever date it does eventually come to a close, Nottingham Forest will hope it does so with them having earned a place in the Premier League.
Under Sabri Lamouchi, the Reds have been in and around the top six for much of the campaign, currently sitting fifth in the table.
So just supposing the dream does become reality (stick with us on this one) and promotion is secured, how would Forest go about shaping their squad?
We’ve picked out those players who the Reds could build their team around in the top-flight.
Brice Samba
Wouldn’t you just love to see the Reds keeper getting under the skin of Premier League sides and their fans?
He’s proved a dab hand at that in the Championship and would no doubt relish the challenge of taking the next step.
He’s a pretty confident chap, too, and his shot-stopping skills would easily transfer to the higher level.
Would be a key player were Forest to make the step up.
Matty Cash
There’s absolutely no doubting the Nigel Doughty Academy product could play in the Prem. He’d tear it up - just as he has the Championship this season.
There’s a reason some of the big boys had been sniffing around Cash during January, it’s because they knew he’d be more than capable of shining just as brightly at that level.
His ability to get forward, score cracking goals and read the game defensively - something he continues to get better at - suggest Cash could be a star for the Reds in any league.
Joe Worrall
The defender has generally been Mr Reliable and pretty much an ever-present for Lamouchi.
His experience at Rangers has served him well - particularly when it comes to playing in a pressure-cooker environment.
The intensity would only increase were Forest to get promoted, so Worrall would be well equipped to handle it.
He’s improved as a player, too.
It’s with good reason that three of the players we’ve picked out are defensive ones - it’s because the Reds have been tough to beat.
Joe Lolley
The winger hasn’t quite consistently hit the heights of last term, but he is still pure class.
He’s got bags of quality and perhaps would take to the Premier League with a point to prove, having not really had his chance there with Huddersfield Town.
Lolley could be the cornerstone of the Reds’ attack in the top-flight. It would be a treat to see him give some household names the run-around and show what he can do.
You’d bank on him fighting for the goal of the season accolade as well.
Lewis Grabban
If the Reds do go up, they are going to need a goalscorer; a poacher. And Grabban fits that bill.
He’s been pivotal to the promotion charge this term, with his work-rate and off-the-ball play just as crucial as his goals.
More often than not, he doesn’t need too many chances before finding the back of the net. That kind of instinct would be vital in the top-flight, when goalscoring opportunities could well be even harder to come by.
The front man has played at that level before, so his experience would also come in handy.
