Nottingham Forest have today submitted their 25-man squad to the Premier League, with Cafu and Lyle Taylor missing out.
The Reds won promotion to the Premier League last season to end 23 years outside of the top flight.
Unlike seasons of old, Forest can only name 25 players for their squad now that they’re back in the Premier League.
Players aged 21 or under can also be called upon and Forest have named three senior players among that group.
Brennan Johnson, Neco Williams and Loic Mbe Soh have been included in the list of younger players.
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With a plethora of new players added during the summer, there was always likely to be a fall guy.
Sadly, promotion-winning midfielder Cafu and striker Taylor have missed out, with both players now in limbo.
The 29-year-old arrived at the City Ground ahead of the 2020 season as part of the deal that saw Tiago Silva join Olympiacos.
He’s played 55 times for the Reds and has given his all whenever he’s been called upon.
Cafu has epitomised what being on the books at Forest should be all about and clearly values the opportunity he was given.
Steve Cooper has praised him before, calling him ‘excellent’ back in March.
As for Taylor, it’s not really a surprise to see him miss out on a place in Cooper’s squad.
The striker was on the bench for the first two matches of the season but it’s perhaps a surprise he didn’t get a move away.
In 61 appearances for the Reds, he’s found the net eight times, with his two most important goals coming against Bristol City last season.
Both players will now likely be seeking exits and it remains to be seen what the future holds for both.
Nottingham Forest name 25-man squad
Complete Nottingham Forest squad list:
Serge Aurier
Taiwo Awoniyi
Loic Bade
Giulian Biancone
Willy Boly
Jack Colback
Steve Cook
Emmanuel Dennis
Remo Freuler
Morgan Gibbs-White
Dean Henderson
Wayne Hennessey
Cheikhou Kouyate
Jesse Lingard
Renan Lodi
Orel Mangala
Scott McKenna
Moussa Niakhate
Lewis O’Brien
Omar Richards
Jordan Smith
Sam Surridge
Harry Toffolo
Joe Worrall
Ryan Yates
Notable under-21 players:
Brennan Johnson
Loic Mbe Soh
Neco Williams