NOTTINGHAM Forest have allowed Gary McSheffrey to return to Birmingham City - but will attempt to sign him permanently in the summer.

The winger is set to have further surgery on his troublesome knee, after failing to regain the required fitness to make an impact during his loan spell.

But Reds boss Billy Davies has admitted that, if McSheffrey can get himself fit, he would regard him as a powerful asset at the City Ground.

"He is one we will look at, because he has a lot of talent," said Davies.

"Left sided players are also few and far between in that position. But he also has that skill and trickery to make and score goals.

"He is a first class professional and we will see what happens in the summer."

McSheffrey has played four times for Forest, but a lack of match sharpness hampered his impact.

"I spoke to Gary and told him the one thing he has to do is get himself fitter," said Davies.

"He has decided to go and have an operation on his knee to clean it out and get things sorted.

"We have looked at where he is with regard to his fitness and decided that now is the best time for him to go and do that.

"Gary is now working to make sure he is ready for the first day of the new season."