Nottingham Forest look to have hit the jackpot with Steve Cooper although there will be challenges ahead.
The January transfer window looks set to be a big one, with incoming and outgoings expected.
In the summer some players will depart at the end of their contracts and others may find themselves being sold.
Some departures mean that four big Nottingham Forest squad numbers could become available for the 2022/23 season.
Here is a look at the four potentially soon to be vacant numbers and a quick look at who could fill them.
3
Memories of Stuart Pearce strutting his stuff in this shirt live long in the memory of Forest supporters.
In recent times, Tobias Figueiredo has taken on the number which is somewhat bizarre for a central defender.
Who takes it over? The Portuguese star is out of contract in the summer, however, and he could move on.
As a result, the number 3 jersey could revert to a left-back next season and if Max Lowe is added on a permanent basis perhaps he could grab it.
7
Lewis Grabban is another player who will see his contract come to an end in the summer.
On current form, the Reds have to tie him down to a new deal with Grabban scoring 10 times so far this season.
Who takes it over? If Grabban does stay then it won’t even be worth considering another number and it will stay with the Forest talisman.
Expect a new signing to grasp this famous jersey should he leave, with new forwards likely to be the order of next summer.
5
Rodrigo Ely was handed this number when he signed for Forest in September.
The Brazilian is yet to play for Forest and has been constantly injured since checking in at the City Ground.
As a result, he won’t be extending his Reds stint and his number will become vacant.
Who takes it over? Joe Worrall has been linked with a move to the Premier League and perhaps any replacement who is signed will walk into the number five.
One in-house option could be for Scott McKenna to ditch his 26 and wear a more conventional number.
10
Given that Joao Carvalho has only played in one game under Steve Cooper, perhaps he will be offloaded by Forest next summer.
The Portuguese performer will have just a year to run on his contract and that could see Forest cash in on him.
Who takes it over? Cooper has already made no secret of his desire to bolster his forward line.
Someone like Brennan Johnson may fancy the famous number if he sticks at Forest.
Alternatively, it will be a new signing that steps into the shirt that typically symbolises a star player.
