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Aitor Karanka does want to trim his Nottingham Forest squad in January.

The Reds boss was delighted with the backing he has received since the summer, with the club hierarchy sanctioning 17 additions, with Karim Ansarifard the latest to join, in recent weeks.

But one side effect of that ambitious recruitment has been a slightly top-heavy squad that now boasts as many as 28 established players.

Karanka would prefer to work with a squad of around 22 and, while the cuts to the dressing room are unlikely to be quite that dramatic, Forest will look to secure moves for a few players when the window opens, in order to streamline the first team squad.

Forest are also aware of the need to make room for potential new additions in January, with Karanka and the club’s recruitment staff having already highlighted a number of targets.

“I do not know for certain, yet. But I can tell you today that I would like to have less players in the squad,” said Karanka.

(Image: Joseph Raynor)

“I like to have a squad of around 22, but at the minute we have a squad of 26 or 27.

“We did good work in the market in August and we have been talking about the market in January already. I would like to have less players.”

Karanka admits it is a juggling act to keep so many players happy – and does not believe it is always possible.

The former Middlesbrough boss has frequently spoken of his respect for players like Liam Bridcutt, who has had to be patient as he fights for a first team opportunity, with the 29-year-old making three starts in the EFL Cup, but having made only one sub appearance in the Championship.

But, while his attitude has been frequently praised, the former Leeds captain could be the kind of player allowed to move on, as he finds himself down the pecking order.

When asked how he has kept his squad happy during the first third of the campaign, Karanka admitted: “I do not know if all of them are happy!

“But I think the main thing is to try to be fair with all of them. Sometimes the players who are not playing, it can be more difficult. But when you have an explanation or a reason for everyone, they understand better.

“And the main thing for me is that they understand my thinking is always to pick my best 11. That is always the thinking.”

(Image: Dan Westwell)

The strength in depth Forest now possess has seen one hugely impressive run come to an end for Ben Osborn.

The versatile midfielder or left-back had made 137 consecutive appearances for the Reds, either in the starting line-up or as a substitute, heading into the game against Sheffield United at the start of the month.

But Osborn ended up being an unused substitute in the game – and was also not used off the bench against Stoke City last weekend, bringing an end to his unusual personal record.

“It was a good run but, when you have a squad like I have, with a lot of good players, it is a shame for him,” said Karanka.

“Ben is a very good player and a very good character. But he understands that I have to pick the best 11 players for every game.

“He is important for the team – I have always said that. And, again, he will be important in the future, for sure.”

(Image: Joseph Raynor)

After seeing one long-running saga brought to an end when Forest finally received work permit approval for Ansarifard to sign from Olympiacos, Karanka was relieved he would no longer face questions about the striker’s situation.

And he did not want to prompt a fresh line of questioning, by discussing potential January targets.

“I do have players in mind who we would like to bring in. But we do not need another Karim Ansarifard question to be asked every week, do we? Let me have a rest on that one until the end of November,” joked Karanka.