With the January transfer window fast approaching, Notts County boss Luke Williams will be finalising his plans as to whether he will add to his squad for the remainder of the season.
While the Magpies are able to make signings before the window officially opens on January 1, the Notts boss has chosen not to bolster his ranks and allowing some of his players out on loan.
Three players are currently out on loan from Meadow Lane, with Frank Vincent and Joel Taylor staying in the National League with Aldershot and Dagenham and Redbridge respectively, with young forward Luther Munakandafa joining local side Basford United at the start of the season.
Notts currently have the smallest squad in the division, with just 19 first-team players available on a matchday, with the teams around them in the table boasting much larger options if required.
It has become an area of concern for the Magpies, but both Williams and owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz have said they are continuing to look for players that will aid them in their quest for a return to the EFL.
And one option that could be explored is the relationship with Premier League neighbours, Nottingham Forest.
When asked about potential signings earlier on in the campaign, Williams had explained he had been to watch a number of academy games involving the Reds and could look to rekindle that association with Steve Cooper's side.
It has been beneficial for both clubs in recent years, with both Jorge Grant and Ryan Yates making the switch from over the Trent, becoming integral parts of the 2017/18 season which ended in play-off heartbreak against Coventry.
A number of academy prospects have gone out on loan this season, with Riley Harbottle and Will Swan joining Mansfield Town whilst Alex Mighten joined League One side Sheffield Wednesday, with the pathway to the first team widened given the summer transfer activity.
With the possibility of that connection developing once more in the coming weeks, I have identified two Forest players that the Magpies boss could look to bring to Meadow Lane in January.
Aaron Donnelly
The versatile defender can operate on the left-hand side of defence, either at centre-back or left back and would provide sufficient cover for Adam Chicksen following Joel Taylor's loan move to Dagenham and Redbridge earlier this month.
That extra bit of defensive cover will ease the worry for Williams, as he felt that pressure early on in the campaign, forced to play Geraldo Bajrami as part of the back three before Aden Baldwin's return.
Donnelly put pen to paper on professional terms with the club last August and has featured five times for Andy Reid's side as they sit fifth in the Premier League 2 standings.
The teenager also made his Under-21 international bow in June 2021 in a 2-1 win over Scotland and added a further cap at that level later that week against the same opposition.
And this evening could offer the chance for Williams to get another look at the 19-year-old, with Forest U21s in Premier League Cup action on Monday evening, with Charlton Athletic the visitors to Alfreton Town's Impact Arena.
Ateef Konate
One of Forest's most exciting talents to emerge at the City Ground is 21-year-old Ateef Konate.
The Frenchman joined the Reds from the illustrious Le Harve academy in 2020, joining up with the U23's side before making his professional debut a year later.
He made his league debut last season in their 3-0 win over Barnsley in the Championship, and he has made an excellent start to this season, scoring three goals in five games so far.
Much like Donnelly, Konate is very versatile in where he can operate, predominantly playing in the attacking midfielder role or wide on the right-hand side.
With Konate yet to experience a loan move away from the City Ground, this January could be the perfect time for switch to Meadow Lane, with there seemingly a huge gap between the first team and the academy given Forest's activity during the summer window.
The 21-year-old can offer Williams blistering pace with an eye for goal, coupled with endless amounts of creativity from midfield.
