Forest boss: Striker is priority

COLIN Calderwood has put a striker at the top of Nottingham Forest's January shopping list – with Motherwell's Chris Porter believed to be among the prime targets.

With only three senior forwards in the squad following the retirement of Andrew Cole, the Reds boss is keen to bolster his attacking options.

And he says he is looking to bring in a player to provide competition to Robert Earnshaw, Joe Garner and Nathan Tyson.

"We need to bring another striker to the club if we can," he said.

"We will always need that option. We are one injury away from having nobody on the bench who can make a difference – and we can't have that.

"I know we brought in Joe and Robert this summer, but other clubs have brought in strikers since then.

"We will look to make a difference in that position now, and will consider loan signings as well as permanent additions where possible."

Porter, 25, boasted an impressive goalscoring record with Bury and Oldham before moving north of the border on a Bosman free transfer in 2007.

Calderwood has previously admitted his interest in the player, who has an impressive career record of one goal every three games.

The manager confirmed further additions were possible, but said the club were not desperate to bring in new faces.

And he added Forest would be looking to extend the loan deals of Joel Lynch and Lee Camp, potentially signing the pair permanently.

"We have the boys on loan at the minute and we will be looking to conclude something (more permanent) with them," he said.

"That will give us a good basis. We know what we are after and we have done our homework.

"Now it is about trying to conclude one or two deals, and in an ideal world we will do that quickly."

The fact that Forest are prepared to back Calderwood in the transfer market suggests they continue to see him as the man to guide them clear of trouble.

He said: "These discussions (about transfers) have to take place anyway, for the future of the club.

"It is important the football and the club carries on, whatever.

"The additions are always intended to make the club better."