Dougie Freedman: Forest boss expects to sign striker

Dougie Freedman took over as manager from Stuart Pearce in February 2015

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman expects to have a new striker in his squad by the time the transfer window closes on 1 February.

Forest are 11th in the Championship table following a 12-game unbeaten run.

But, deprived of the services of long-term injury victims Britt Assombalonga and Matty Fryatt, they have struggled to score goals all season.

"I am trying to recruit that sort of player who will give us that spark," Freedman told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I would be very surprised if I don't do something because I have that many things in the air right now. But it is very challenging."

Nelson Oliveira, Dexter Blackstock, Chris O'Grady and Tyler Walker have only scored a combined total of 11 league goals in 39 starts this season.

Assombalonga has said he expects to play this season having been out since last February after knee surgery, but Freedman has no idea when Fryatt will return.

"Unfortunately they don't look to be coming back anytime soon so I have to re-evaluate what I am looking to do," added Freedman, whose side are still under a transfer embargo and are limited in who they can bring in.

"We have no real room to move. We are doing a good job recruiting but I have to be careful I don't ask for the impossible. I have to be realistic."