Norwich City defender Elliott Ward has returned to Nottingham Forest on loan for the rest of the season.
The centre-back played 12 games for the Reds before returning to Norfolk after the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on 29 December.
Chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi said: “Elliott proved how valuable to our squad he can be during his initial loan spell with us. He made it clear he wanted to come back to the club for the remainder of the season and we’re delighted to have him here.”
With Danny Collins suspended after his red card against Oldham in the FA Cup, and Daniel Ayala expected to be out for a month with a hamstring injury, Ward will go straight into the starting XI against Peterborough on Saturday.
Ward said: “It feels good to be back. I’ve had eight days back with Norwich and was on the bench for their FA Cup tie at Peterborough last weekend.
“But I knew something might happen with Forest and it was just a case of waiting and hoping. I’m glad things have been sorted out at Forest because I really enjoyed my initial loan spell with the club.
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“The deal is to see if the manager is happy with me and if he is hopefully a permanent move will be there at the end of my loan. But all I’m concerned with at the moment is playing well and doing well for the team and then we’ll see what happens in the future.”
Further signings are expected to arrive this month with Lee Camp believed to be departing on a free transfer. QPR’s Robert Green is Alex McLeish’s target as a replacement, with Arsenal’s Lukasz Fabianski an alternative, and Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata may also arrive on loan.
Sky Sports are reporting that Birmingham City have rejected a bid from Forest for Chris Burke. The right-winger worked with McLeish when he was manager at Rangers. And the Birmingham Mail believes the Reds want Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara Reyes on loan from West Brom.
Meanwhile, reports in the US are linking Robbie Findley with a move back to the Major Soccer League with Real Salt Lake.