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Nottingham Forest are still hopeful of completing the signing of Karim Ansarifard, as it would be "good for everyone", says Aitor Karanka.

The Reds boss says he is happy to remain patient as the club work to secure a work permit for the Iranian international, who has been left in limbo since having his contract terminated at Olympiacos in the summer in order to facilitate a move to the City Ground.

Since featuring in Olympiacos’s Europa League win over Burnley in August, Ansarifard’s only action has come playing for his country, in wins over Uzbekistan and Bolivia.

Forest agreed terms with the 28-year-old, who Karanka believes will add significant quality to his forward options, months ago but have had to battle through significant red tape to get his move to the Championship club sanctioned.

But the club hope that Ansarifard, who scored a respectable 17 goals for Olympiacos last season, will get the green light to begin the next chapter of his career, in the near future.

“Yes (I am still hopeful), because I think it would be good for everyone,” said Karanka.

“Again, we knew at the beginning – and he knew – what the situation was. We knew we might have to wait.

“Let’s see what is happening. I am patient.”

Karanka will again prepare for this weekend’s clash with Sheffield United without Ansarifard in his plans.

But he hopes that will not be the case for long.

“I am preparing for the game without him, because we do not know anything yet,” said Karanka.

(Image: PA)

“But if Karim or Daryl (Murphy) are not on the bench or if Soudani is not available, I have another 20-plus players who are desperate to play.”

Hilal Soudani will miss the game with a knee injury but Daryl Murphy has a chance of being involved, as he continues to recover from a virus.

The situation has been made slightly less urgent by the form of Lewis Grabban, who bagged his ninth goal of the campaign after coming off the bench against Burton in midweek.