Nottingham Forest reportedly watched Michael Keane in action for Everton last week ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Lack of minutes

The 29-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the Toffees' 4-1 loss at Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup last week in what was only his third appearance of the season (Transfermarkt).

He has only played a mere Premier League, having fallen behind summer arrivals Conor Coady and James Tarkowski in the centre-back pecking order at Goodison Park.

The Latest: Nottingham Forest's interest

As per the print edition of The Sunday Mirror (13 November), Forest are interested in signing Keane on loan in January after asking about his availability in the summer.

The Reds' new sporting director Filippo Giraldi watched the Everton defender in action against the Cherries in the Carabao Cup and is ready to go back in for him during the winter.

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The Verdict: Get rid

Given his lack of game-time, and the arrivals of Coady and Tarkowski, Frank Lampard's team can afford to let Keane go in January, even it is only on loan and to one of their top-flight rivals.

The 29-year-old was one of the Toffees' most disappointing players against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on a wretched night for the team, failing to take his chance to impress Lampard.

On £80,000 per week, Keane is one of the higher earners in the squad, and Everton would certainly benefit from getting him off the wage bill, which might just help to fund one or two potential signings in January.