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It may only have been a pre-season strike against League Two opposition – but Aitor Karanka believes Lewis Grabban’s goal against Oldham could hold some significance.

The Reds boss hopes the forward’s late strike at Boundary Park will ensure he heads into the new campaign full of confidence.

Karanka believes Nottingham Forest have signed a striker with the mental strength and experience to flourish under pressure in the Championship this season.

But nevertheless, he says it will have done the £6m capture from Bournemouth no harm at all to have found the back of the net at the weekend.

“It is important for Lewis to score, because it is not a pressure for him now, to get that goal,” said Karanka.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

“He knows about pressure and he can manage the pressure, but it is always important for a striker to score goals and to get their confidence as soon as possible.

“He has got his goal now.”

Grabban, 30, scored 20 goals last season during loan spells with Sunderland and Aston Villa. The Croydon-born player netted 12 goals for the struggling Black Cats, before adding eight goals to Villa’s push for the play-offs.

Forest hope that he, along with fellow new addition Hillal Soudani, will bolster the club’s firepower, as they look to secure a top six finish.

Soudani bagged his first goal for the Reds in the 3-0 win over Malaga, during the club's training camp in Marbella.

Both players will be part of the squad that heads to face League One Scunthorpe United on Wednesday night, as Forest continue their preparations with another friendly.