Ahead of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League opener against Leeds next Saturday, Oliver Glasner has shown his hand simply by disguising it.

The 2-0 friendly victory over French club Brest, achieved thanks to first-half strikes from Chris Wood (from the penalty spot) and Luca Netz, featured few of Forest’s key men.

Most of those players, including star attacker Morgan Gibbs-White, were involved in a training ground friendly against Coventry on Saturday, which Forest won 2-0.

So all things being equal, we can start to build an idea of Glasner’s starting XI. In a 3-4-2-1 formation that would mean: Sels; Milenkovic, Murillo, Diomande; Aina, Schlager, Sangare, Williams; Ndoye, Gibbs-White; Igor Jesus.

Glasner still wants another forward and may seek to add a right wing-back, too, but he is also keen to move on unwanted players. Daily Mail Sport examines how Forest are looking with a week to go.

Oliver Glasner disguised his hand for the opening day of the season with many of his stars featuring in a behind closed doors game on Saturday, rather than their match with Brest

What about Gibbs-White?

After selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City earlier in the summer, Glasner is adamant no more key players will leave. Nothing is certain until September 3, of course, but this was a very strong summary of the situation.

Gibbs-White changed his agent earlier this summer, which is often the prelude to a transfer. But the 26-year-old is the highest-paid player in Forest’s history and would not come cheap.

Asked about Gibbs-White’s future, the Forest boss said: ‘It was clear after selling Elliot Anderson that none of our starters will leave the club. That’s a commitment from the ownership and no player has asked to leave the club.

‘[Gibbs-White leaving] was never a topic. We didn’t have to talk about it – it was a non-verbal agreement. We looked each other in the eye, because we want to be successful. If we want to strengthen the squad it makes no sense to sell starters.’

Nevertheless, Glasner will still be relieved when the window closes. Gibbs-White wants to play Champions League football in the coming seasons and earlier this summer, Chelsea were showing an interest.

The Blues will not compete in Europe this term but if Enzo Fernandez were to move to Manchester City, it would be interesting to see whether they had another dart at Gibbs-White. Whether Forest would sell, though, is another matter entirely. Based on Glasner’s words, Gibbs-White looks likelier to stay than depart.

Morgan Gibbs-White looks likely to stay than depart, with Glasner stressing none of their starters will leave the club

Wing-backs to have a huge role

Glasner is still trying to impose his ideas on this squad but from the Brest game, it was clear that the wing-backs will have a huge role in how Forest attack.

Eric da Silva Moreira and Luca Netz were constantly available for passes in the Brest half, with Netz having a particular impact. He won the penalty that Wood converted, and soon afterwards started and finished a fine move also involving Callum Hudson-Odoi and Nico Dominguez.

Operating as one of two No10s, Hudson-Odoi drifted wide to allow Netz to make an underlapping run inside him, and it is easy to imagine Neco Williams – the first choice in that left wing-back role – thriving in such a system.

On the other side, the future is less clear. Ola Aina is the starter as things stand yet Glasner continues to look for another player for that role, perhaps one who is a little more dynamic and more durable than the Nigerian, who has had an outstanding three years at Forest.

Luca Netz, who scored Forest’s second in the 2-0 victory, could be among the wing backs to have a key role in Glasner’s side

Expect more sales

Questioned about his options in central midfield, Glasner insisted he was happy with who he has and instead highlighted Forest’s bloated squad.

He believes he has too many players and would like to move some on before the window closes. This was the perfect chance to put them in the shop window, which is perhaps why he played his second-string today rather than the first-choice players.

It would be no surprise to see Dilane Bakwa, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Eric da Silva Moreira or Morato go elsewhere, while Zach Abbott may be loaned to the EFL. ‘It makes no sense to go into the season with 26 outfield players, especially when we do not have European football,’ said Glasner.

The Austrian also revealed Forest are likely to be without club skipper Ryan Yates against Leeds next weekend due to ‘a minor issue’.

Departures are expected with Glasner highlighting the bloated nature of Forest’s squad

What is Chris Wood’s future?

Wood made his mark from the spot after recovering from a thigh injury but it is unclear how regularly he will play.

Igor Jesus looks like Glasner’s preferred No9 at this stage and although the Brazilian can play as one of the two No10s, he looks the favourite to line up against Leeds. Glasner is also looking for another striker, with Forest holding a long-term interest in Chelsea’s Liam Delap.

So where does Wood fit in? Wood turns 35 in December and has a year left on his contract. With Taiwo Awoniyi poised to join Coventry, Forest do not want to leave themselves too light in attack but will Wood be willing to accept a bit-part role?

‘We have two or three additions in the pipeline, let’s say it like this,’ said Glasner. ‘It’s always about the two clubs, the player and the agent. As soon as these four parties find an agreement we will have another player.

‘I’m very pleased so far. We brought two top players in with Xaver Schlager and Ousmane Diomande. I think everybody can see which impact Schlager can have in our game.

‘Diomande is just at the beginning of the pre-season, after a longer break after the World Cup, so he will need a little bit of time to be fully fit.

‘Having two players from top leagues, who have both played more than 100 games, played for their country and played Champions League football… that will give us quality and experience. So far everything we wanted to do we already did.’

Chris Wood scored from the spot against Brest but it unclear as to the role he will play

Where is the sponsor?

Forest still do not have a front-of-shirt agreement to replace Bally’s, the bookmaker who agreed an £8m deal with the club for the 2025-26 campaign.

Now Premier League clubs are forbidden from advertising betting companies on the front of their shirts which means Forest are currently without a main shirt sponsor, a week away from the new season.

Supporters may like the cleaner look, but those in the boardroom will want a new partner on board as soon as possible.