Friday 19 September 2014 22:16, UK
Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce has no intention of sending fit-again striker Dexter Blackstock out on loan.
The 28-year-old has battled his way back from a serious knee injury to resume first team activity at the City Ground.
A possible recall is being pencilled in for a Capital One Cup clash at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
It is always a big boost to get somebody back who has been out for such a long period of time. He will give us another option up front.
While Blackstock may be involved at White Hart Lane, he faces a tough task to earn regular recognition at Sky Bet Championship table-toppers Forest.
An unbeaten outfit have Britt Assombalonga in sparkling form, with fellow new boys Matty Fryatt and Lars Veldwijk offering striking support.
It has been suggested that Blackstock will be allowed to leave on an emergency loan agreement in order to get important minutes under his belt, but Pearce insists there is a place for him in his plans.
He said in the Nottingham Post: “We will not send him out on loan, he is close to a return for us.
“He has played a 45 minute spell of a game, a 60 and a 90. We have a feeling he will feature, in some way, on Wednesday at Tottenham.
“It is always a big boost to get somebody back who has been out for such a long period of time. He will give us another option up front.”
Forest are also hoping to have Andy Reid back at their disposal in the near future, following a groin injury, but Jack Hobbs and Fryatt are offering more of a concern.
Pearce added: “This weekend will be too soon for Andy, but he will be back next week.
“Jack, we are waiting for a scan to have a look at his ankle, once we get that we will know a little more. It is the same ankle, it is not as acute, but we do not want to take any chances.
“Matty is the same, we are waiting on a scan. Neither, we feel, are going to be a long term problem, but we want to make sure they are right.”
