Left-back not a priority for Forest - Nigel Doughty
Last updated on .From the section Football
Nottingham Forest chairman Nigel Doughty insists that signing a left-back is not their main transfer focus.
The Reds have not had a permanent left-sided defender since Julian Bennett's long-term injury in December 2008.
Loanees Nicky Shorey, Ryan Bertrand and Paul Konchesky have all been used but no-one has joined permanently and Chris Cohen seems likely to start the season.
Doughty told BBC Radio Nottingham: "Left-back is not the priority. I think we are focusing on wide midfielders."
Doughty added: "It's really a question for the manager. But we have a number of people who can play there. Joel Lynch did well there last season, Chris Cohen can play there, Chris Gunter plays there internationally for Wales at senior level and Kieron Freeman does in a very good Wales Under-19 team.
"We have some cover there and I know it's a heartfelt cause of our fans but we have other priorities at the moment and we have to be careful how we use our money."
Bennett damaged ligaments against Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day 2008 and Forest have used a number of players in the left-back role since then.
Aside from the three long-term loan signings, Lynch, Cohen, Gunter and James Perch have all had spells on the left side of the defence.
Cohen started his career as left-back although he has mainly been used as a midfielder while at the City Ground.
