Nottingham Forest could find themselves in a bit of a predicament when it comes to their left-back situation – and not for the first time.
On this occasion, however, the solution to Steve Cooper’s problem could actually already be a Forest player.
Nicholas Ioannou is currently on loan with Serie B outfit Como and perhaps Forest could do worse than recalling the Cypriot.
The international signed for the Reds amid a plethora of new additions prior to the 2020/21 campaign.
He featured once under Sabri Lamouchi and four times under Chris Hughton when he arrived at the club.
The flashpoint of his time at Forest came away at Luton last season. He was sent off in the first half and appeared to lose Hughton’s trust, failing to make another appearance.
He was loaned to Aris for the second half of last season and then joined Como for the 2021/22 campaign.
During the current season, he’s made 14 appearances for the Italian outfit and has largely been impressive.
Max Lowe arrived to replace him on loan during the summer window and he’s been a revelation for Forest.
Now, he’s facing two months out and Cooper has something of a dilemma to crack during January.
Gaetan Bong doesn’t look to be of the required quality, whilst playing Jack Colback there means the team misses his midfield qualities.
Makeshift: Ioannou could do a job for Forest
The 33-cap left-back is a Forest owned player and with the Reds struggling at left-back, it’s pointless for him to be out on loan.
He could be back at the City Ground in January and bolstering the squad ahead of Lowe returning from injury.
Cooper will want some signings during the transfer window but there are more pressing areas to sort than left-back.
Ioannou looks like a bizarre signing on the face of things but not having him at the club right now seems strange.
Jordi Osei-Tutu is on the way back and Jayden Richardson is also coming through the ranks.
If Cooper wants an experienced option, however, recalling the 26-year-old might not be the worst thing to do in January.