Karanka still in the market for defender to bolster Nottingham Forest squad

The Reds were keen to get one over the line in time for the visit of AFC Bournemouth to the City Ground on Saturday, in their last pre-season friendly before the Championship season gets under way.

But they were unable to add to their squad in time, with West Ham United’s Sam Byram still seen as their number one target for that position, but Karanka has not given up hope of adding to his numbers.

Tendayi Darikwa, who started and scored the opener in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Premier League opposition, impressed and looks to be in line to start against Bristol City this coming Saturday.

“With Tendayi’s performance, I am not thinking too much about the right-back, right now,” Karanka told the Nottingham Post after the pre-season friendly win over Bournemouth.

“It is true that we are trying to sign one, but we are going to be really careful about our signings. We have been careful with all the signings we have made and we are not going to make mistakes now.

“It is true that the market is going to close. But we are good and we believe we are going to bring in the right one.”