Billy Davies insists he won’t be forced into any rash moves in the transfer market before the window closes, despite the current defensive crisis at the City Ground.

Forest are without Julian Bennett, James Perch and Kelvin Wilson through injury and now face being without Luke Chambers after his sending off at Reading.

The problems led to youngsters Aaron Mitchell and Jordan Fairclough being named as subs in the Carling Cup tie with Bradford, but Davies will weigh up his options before dipping into the market again.

The manager has described the defensive problems as “huge” but unless he can get the right players at the right price, Davies says he will have to fit “square pegs in round holes” by playing players out of position.

Davies admitted to the Evening Post: “We have sat down with the staff to identify one or two potential targets. We will keep working away to see what we can organise.

“We are looking at names and possibilities, but diving into things is not the answer. We have to be patient.”

Matt Mills was the top target for the Reds boss but last Saturday’s opponents Reading beat Forest to the punch, with the centre-back joining the Royals from Doncaster.

One name that has been mentioned in some quarters is the Preston defender Sean St Ledger, who was signed by Davies during his time in charge at Deepdale.

The Republic of Ireland international can play at centre-back or full-back, but whether North End would allow a second player move to the City Ground this summer – after Paul McKenna’s switch – is another matter entirely.

Out-of-favour Bolton centre-back Danny Shittu is another player understood to be on the Forest shortlist, with the Nigeria international likely to be a cheaper option but does offer Premier League experience.

Time is running out though if Davies is to do more business and it seems likely he will, as the Forest boss looks for the final piece of his summer transfer jigsaw.