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Nottingham Forest have told Michael Hefele, Daryl Murphy, Liam Bridcutt and Luke Steele they are free to find other clubs.

And the quartet will not be included in the squad that travels out to Greece for a pre-season training camp.

The Reds are aware of the need to trim their squad, which has been boosted by six summer additions - including five new arrivals since the appointment of Sabri Lamouchi as head coach.

(Image: NFFC)

And they have begun the process of ushering a few players out of the exit, by informing the experienced group they will not have a part to play this season - and that they are free to seek a new home.

A few more players are expected not to travel to Athens, but their absence will be through injury, rather than because they are not involved in Lamouchi’s plans.

Joao Carvalho is likely to be the most high-profile of that group of injured players, because of the ankle injury he sustained at Alfreton Town during the first friendly game of the summer.

The club are yet to clarify the exact nature of the problem, which was not initially thought to be hugely serious, but could be bad enough to ensure he remains at home while the rest of the squad are facing Atromitos and Olympiacos in another round of friendly games, on Saturday and Tuesday.

(Image: NFFC)

Forest’s squad is expected to include new signings Tiago Silva, Yuri Ribeiro, Alfa Semedo, Aro Muric and Albert Adomah, who have all joined in the short time since Lamouchi was appointed, with the club quick to back the new man with signings.

While Sammy Ameobi, who signed before Martin O'Neill's departure, has already made a positive impression in games against Alfreton and Dundee.

The club are also understood to be open to interest in Jason Cummings, Zach Clough and Gboly Ariyibi, with the trio currently training with the under-23 squad.

But defender Hefele, striker Murphy, midfielder Bridcutt and keeper Steele have definitively been told to find themselves new clubs.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

Hefele made 16 starts and two sub appearances for the Reds after signing from Huddersfield last summer, but saw his season cut short by a serious Achilles injury.

Murphy has made 43 starts and 17 sub appearances, scoring 13 goals for the Reds, since joining from Newcastle in July 2017.

Bridcutt also joined in the summer of 2017, from Leeds, but has struggled to pin down a regular first team place, despite more than one manager praising him for his professional attitude.

Bridcutt started 27 times and made four sub appearances for Forest, scoring one goal, at Cardiff in April 2018.

Steele signed as back-up to Costel Pantilmon last summer, following the end of his contract at Bristol City. The 34-year-old made two Championship starts and five appearances in cup competitions.

But following the arrival of Muric, on loan from Manchester City, he has found himself down the pecking order at the City Ground.