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Nottingham Forest must decide on the best way for Ryan Yates and Jorge Grant to take the ‘next step’ in their careers, says Aitor Karanka.

And that could mean the duo both leaving the City Ground on loan again next season.

Reds boss Karanka says the club will give serious consideration as to what the best plan is for Grant, who has been a key figure on loan with Notts County this season, and for Yates, who followed up a loan spell of his own at Meadow Lane with a successful spell with Scunthorpe in League One.

Attacking midfielder Grant, 23, and the more defensive minded Yates, 20, have both been involved in play-off action, with Scunthorpe losing out in the semi-final against Rotherham and Grant also suffering Wembley disappointment, following the defeat to Coventry on Friday night.

Both players will get the chance to prove themselves with Forest in pre-season, but Karanka believes another loan move might yet prove to be the best option, as wants both young men to continue their development by playing regular football.

But, whatever happens, Karanka hopes Forest will make the right choice to aid their development.

“We are thinking about them, because the next step is an important one for them, at the age they are at,” said Karanka.

“They have been doing really well; they have been playing regularly this season and it is important for them to keep growing and keep taking the right steps.

“We need to think about what that next step is. Do they stay with us? Do we look at them in pre-season? Or do we send them on loan again, to take their next step?

“We know they have done really well. But we need them to take that next step.”

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Karanka’s comments suggest he is leaning towards another loan move for the duo – but he is also clear that it would have to be the right loan move.

“It might be better for them to keep playing football somewhere else. But we need to find those opportunities,” he said.

“If they are not going to play (somewhere else) are they better off to progress by being involved in training here; where they will train with our intensity.

“We need to think about what the best step is.”