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Aitor Karanka says he remains happy with the squad he has at Nottingham Forest – but would welcome any ‘surprises’ before the end of the loan window on Friday.

Cameron Jerome, the Derby striker, is the latest player to be linked with the Reds.

And Karanka said that he is always interested in ‘good players’ and regards the 32-year-old as one of those.

But he feels that Forest’s search for a striker could go right down to the wire, with Middlesbrough understood to be keen to bring in other players before contemplating the idea of allowing Rudy Gestede to leave on loan and with Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe having stated that Jermain Defoe will not be allowed to leave the Cherries on loan.

“Every single good player, until the last moment, if they are available we are open to the idea,” said Karanka, when asked about Jerome.

“But if anyone does arrive, they will come into a tight group; they will come into an ambitious group and every single good player is one I like.

“I know Cameron, I know Jermain Defoe. I know a lot of players. We have to only wait two days.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

“I don’t know if we will get anyone. But the main thing is for me to have the squad that we have and play a team like Newcastle and to beat them, even without a striker on the bench.”

And Karanka remains relaxed if Forest do not sign another striker, with Arvin Appiah having been set to make his first team debut off the bench, if not for injuries to Joe Lolley and Sam Byram, which marred the 3-1 win over Newcastle in the EFL Cup.

“I said always that I have the squad that I wanted to have,” said Karanka.

“I know that the club is working until the last minute or the last second and, if something nice appears, I will be happy.

“But if nothing appears, we are good. I will be happy if nothing happens, but you have to wait for surprises.

“I do not know what is going to happen. I am pleased with the performance today and with the attitude of everyone. Let us see. But we have two days and then I will rest.”

Defender Joe Worrall is understood to remain a loan target for Scottish giants Rangers, but the Reds boss was giving nothing away.

“When I have games to prepare for, my phone is off, so I do not know anything,” he said.