PAUL Anderson believes the return of striker Joe Garner (pictured) will give Nottingham Forest the bite they require up front.

The former Carlisle man has yet to make his Reds debut after joining in the summer while recovering from cruciate knee ligament damage.

After a reserve outing and playing in the Ireland friendly, he was hit with a bout of tonsillitis that knocked him back.

But the £1.14m signing is back in training and could make his debut as early as next week with games against Crystal Palace and local rivals Derby County.

Anderson, 20, who has just returned himself after five-and-a-half months out with a thigh injury, says it will be a huge boost.

He said: "I have known Joe from before I came here and I think he is going to offer us a lot.

"He is not a big lad but is very strong on the ball and one of these players that will bully defenders.

"Maybe that is the one thing we are missing at the minute. I think he

has a lot to offer the team and we just have to give him time.

"He has had a serious injury and he is not far off at all.

"Hopefully he will soon be back and can get a couple of goals."

Anderson is confident that after ending a run of four straight league defeats with a 1-1 draw with Ipswich in midweek, the Reds can go one better against Cardiff today.

He said: "We defended brilliantly from the front to the back, the back four was magnificent."