Nottingham Forest are understood to be monitoring Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer as a potential fallback option if they are unable to land Sam Byram.

The Reds are still keen on bringing West Ham defender Byram to the City Ground on loan, as Aitor Karanka looks to bolster the right-back spot.

The former Leeds man remains Forest’s primary target, as they look to provide competition and cover for Tendayi Darikwa, the only experienced right-back on the Reds books.

Byram is viewed as surplus to requirements by Manuel Pellegrini, who has signed Ryan Fredericks from local rivals Fulham this summer – and already has the vastly experienced Pablo Zabaleta to call upon.

But while Forest remain hopeful of landing the 24-year-old on loan, they also have a number of alternative options in place, with Karanka keen to resolve the situation as a matter of urgency.

And Lockyer, 23, is understood to be among their list of potential alternative targets, as Forest look to land the final signing they believe will make them properly competitive in the Championship, with the club having reached a deal to bring midfielder Jack Colback back to the club on loan from Newcastle United.

The Rovers skipper is also a Wales international and fits into the versatile bracket of player that Karanka favours, as he is also capable of playing in the centre of defence.

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Lockyer was released by Cardiff as a 16-year-old but was quickly snapped up by Rovers, where he has since established himself as an integral figure.

The 5ft 11in defender has played for Rovers in League Two, the Conference Premier and more recently in League One. Lockyer has already notched up 227 starts and eight sub appearances for the Bristol club, scoring three goals.

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Forest have high hopes for Nigel Doughty Academy product Jordan Gabriel, who has seen his progress hampered by injury over the past two seasons.

But Karanka is keen to secure more experienced competition for Darikwa at right-back, before the season kicks-off in two weeks.