NOTTINGHAM Forest are likely to allow Gary McSheffrey to return to Birmingham today – but will try to sign the winger on a permanent basis in the summer.

Manager Billy Davies is unlikely to extend McSheffrey's loan spell, with the midfielder having struggled to gain full match sharpness following his lengthy knee injury.

But he hinted that Forest may make a bid to secure the player's services permanently in the summer.

"I will have a chat with him today," said Davies. "Both he and I know that we are asking a lot of him. He has been out for a long time. There is no doubting the ability.

"But the fact of the matter is – like Lewis McGugan and one or two others – we need to get a pre-season into him.

"We expect Gary to go and get himself prepared for the start of next season and we will see what happens. He has given us everything that he has got but he will not be at his best until summer.

"He came here in difficult circumstances. But we thank him very much for what he has done.

"I have not made a decision yet. But I am concerned that he looks after himself and does what he needs to do to get himself fully fit and we will see what happens in the future.

"Any club that takes a fit Gary McSheffrey would want to sign him because he has so much ability; so much talent.

"You can't play at this level when you are half-fit. You can't be out for three-and-a-half months and expect to play at the level that is required.''

Davies says he is working on bringing in new faces for next season. But he will focus his attention on ensuring Forest win their relegation battle first.

"There are many players we want to try to sign. We want a healthy 22-man squad, with competition in every position," he said. "That is the way you move forwards, that is the way you develop and work on individual departments and strengths and weaknesses.

"I have said all along that our success will come with a consistency of team selection.

"And the quicker we get players into this club on long-term contracts, the quicker we get a squad together that has had time to work together and develop together, then the stronger we will be.

"It is not easy coming in mid-season and trying to pick up the baton. It is a very difficult job.

"I knew that when I came in and I am delighted with the hard work and effort we have seen so far. It will all stand us in good stead when we keep this club in the league."

Forest lost both Nathan Tyson and Lewis McGugan to injury during the match, while James Perch was ruled out prior to kick-off with an ankle injury sustained in training.

But Davies expects all three to be fit for the visit of Bristol City on Saturday – and he credited McGugan for his response since he was critical of the midfielder's weight.

"You see the difference with Lewis McGugan. I gave him some stick a few weeks ago and, since then, he has lost three or four kilos," he said. "He deserves great credit for that.

"He knows where we need to be in terms of his body condition and his fitness. He is now working very hard, like the rest of the players, to get the club where it belongs.

"We lost Perch to an ankle injury, which was a big blow for us. But we hope to have him back for the weekend.

"We also have Tyson who has an ankle problem, but he and Lewis should be okay. Fingers crossed, all three of them will be fine."