Aitor Karanka says Nottingham Forest “are not in a rush” to sell Rovers target Ben Brereton – but he hasn’t ruled out the teenager leaving on loan.

Rovers bid in excess of £5m for the 19-year-old attacker on deadline day but saw their offer rejected by the City Ground club.

Brereton hasn’t been involved for the Reds in their three Championship matches so far this season, but did make 39 appearances in 2017/18, scoring six goals.

The England youth international is regarded as one of the club’s brightest prospects, but Forest’s 13 summer signings have been him fall down the pecking order.

Rovers could revisit their interest in Brereton during the loan window, though Spaniard Karanka believes the youngster will get his opportunities throughout the season.

He told the Nottingham Post: “No, we are not in a rush to sell him. I like the player, I like his character and he has a bright future in front of him,” said Karanka.

“I have him in the squad and that is the main thing for me. He played last season and he was an important part of the team last season. This season, with his age, he will still have his games here.

“The club knows that I know how good Ben is.

“So let us see. I am happy with him. He played last season. We have Lewis (Grabban) and Daryl (Murphy) now, but he can be the third choice, he can be the first choice or he can be the second, let us see.

“If something does happen, it will (have to) be something good for him and something good for the club.”

Karanka wants to see some of the club’s fringe players leave on loan before August 31, but says no decision has yet to be taken on Brereton who can occupy across the forward line

“I do not know about sending him out on loan. We need to keep calm, we need to organise again and think about things. We have more than two weeks of the loan window left,” Karanka added.

 “We will make the best decision for everyone.”