ROBERT Earnshaw today admitted his frustration at finding himself on the sidelines at Nottingham Forest, but pledged: "I still want to improve on my goals tally from last season."

A combination of injury and a fierce fight for places has ensured the striker has started only two Championship games, along with five substitute appearances.

But, as he prepares to return from a calf strain when the Reds face Bristol City this weekend, last season's 15-goal top scorer is focused entirely on winning his place back.

And, with Nathan Tyson (calf) and Dexter Blackstock (knee) both now injured, Earnshaw may get his opportunity in the coming weeks.

"That is the thing for me, I want to be playing football. I am never happy when I am not," said Earnshaw.

"When I am out the side, whether I am injured or not, I am just horrible. It is not nice.

"I want to be playing, that is my aim. I want to go on and do more than I did last season.

"I want to be improving all the time, I want to get goals and I want to do well for Nottingham Forest.

"The whole club has been very good to me. The fans have been brilliant towards me the whole time. I just love going out there and putting on that shirt.

"That has to be the aim when I am fit again, to get back into the side, to get involved."

While he had been frustrated at his lack of opportunity prior to his most recent injury problems, Earnshaw says he understands the situation, with six top-class front men vying for a place in the starting XI.

"I have been frustrated, but I guess all of the strikers will be at some stage or another, because everyone wants to play," he said.

"I am the same. I am going to be frustrated and unhappy if I am not playing. My aim is to be playing every week.

"It has been tough in the last couple of months, because the team has been changing around and there has been rotation.

"No one has had a real run in the team. Dexter has, to some degree, I suppose – and he has been doing well.

"And, as long as the team is doing well, I am happy because I want the team to do well.

"But we all want to play at the same time.

"I want the team to be winning but you want to be in the winning team.

"I want to be looking to going to bigger and better places in the future with Forest, I want us to be getting better all the time.

"I am going to be frustrated, but we will see what happens in the coming weeks. Hopefully I will get my chance."