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Aitor Karanka admits Nottingham Forest face a frustrating situation over some of their loan rangers.

The Reds sent out Tyler Walker, Zach Clough and Jason Cummings to gain experience at Bolton Wanderers in the Championship and with Scottish Premier League giants Rangers.

The Glasgow club are looking to sign striker Cummings on a permanent basis, despite the fact that he found his first team opportunities limited at Ibrox, where he started only six league games, while making nine sub appearances, scoring two goals.

And the 22-year-old has stated that he would be keen on a return to his native Scotland this summer, if a deal can be reached between the two clubs.

But Walker and Clough’s move to the Macron was less successful, with both players finding their game time limited under Phil Parkinson.

Striker Walker started three Championship games, while making two appearances off the bench and attacking midfielder or forward, Clough, started two league games, while making seven sub appearances – although he did score a vital goal in the 1-0 win over Sunderland in February, which ultimately helped to keep his former club out of League One.

Forest had hoped that all three players would report back for pre-season at the Nigel Doughty Academy with plenty more experience under their belts – and ready to prove themselves with their parent clubs.

(Image: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

But Karanka fears their loan moves may have ended up not serving much purpose.

“It has been a shame, because they have not really played,” said Karanka. “The young players like Walker, Clough and Cummings were on loan to play; to check them and what they could offer.

“We wanted them to report back for pre-season and show us the progress they had made.

“But they did not play regularly, so we need to think about them.”

Karanka believes all three players have potential – but also feels they might find it difficult to break into the Forest first team, if they were unable to secure regular football while out on loan.

“They are young, they are talented. But they need to play,” he said. “If they were unable to play at Bolton or at Rangers, imagine how difficult it is going to be for them to play here.”