Who's staying? Who's coming back? Retained list revealed

In truth, there are few major surprises here. The following players being released will come as little surprise to anyone:

Kelvin Wilson, Robert Tesche and Chris Burke

There remains the nagging feeling that Tesche can do a very competent job when called upon yet one also suspects his wages are the stumbling block to extending a deal.

Burke hasn't played for a while now and despite having a mean delivery, really struggled to get up and down the wing.

Wilson...it was a lovely idea to have him back but in truth, it hasn't worked and once again, those wages....

Andy Reid's playing contract is up but he is currently chit-chatting with someone in an office with a view to prolonging his stay at the City Ground.

The following players will return to their parent clubs:

Again, no surprises there but it is worth pointing out that there is nothing to prevent Forest coming back at a later date for any of these players. Maybe we haven't quite seen the last of Gardner but events at Villa Park will dictate his situation.

Welcome back to Jamie Paterson and Lars Veldwijk.

Paterson has enjoyed a productive spell at Huddersfield and maybe he deserves a chance to fulfil his undoubted potential. The pace of the game seemed to catch Veldwijk out and maybe he will look to return to Holland or overseas. For a detailed scouting report on Veldwijk, read this.

As it stands, this is what we face the coming season with:

Again, it is very early days yet and the release of this list is to formalise the end of loan spells so players and clubs can get on with finding a match in an extensive and far reaching version of a speed date evening. No doubt there will be many more comings and goings.