BILLY Sharp hopes to get back among the goals at Watford on Saturday, to celebrate the birth of his new baby – and ensure he holds on to his place in the side.
The Nottingham Forest striker became a father on Friday, with partner Jade Fair giving birth to baby Leo.
Sharp almost marked the occasion with a goal at Brighton on Saturday as he hit the bar in a 0-0 draw on the south coast.
Now the on-loan Southampton man has set his sights on notching his eighth goal of the campaign against the Hornets – to ensure he does not lose his starting place as Simon Cox makes his remarkable return from an ankle injury.
Sharp, 26, has netted three goals in his last five appearances, but knows he needs to maintain his form with Dexter Blackstock also fighting to remain in the Reds' front line.
"It was a brilliant day on Friday, it was a long one, but it was worth it. I came down on Friday night, ready for the game," said Sharp who, with his partner, set up the Luey Jacob Sharp Foundation in memory of his son who died last year, just two days old.
"I thought I was going to get a goal, but it wasn't to be.
"Hopefully I can celebrate with a goal in the next game (at Watford).
"Simon has made a quick recovery and it is a squad game and I am sure he will be playing soon because he is close to being fit and he is an influential player.
"I have to be on my game to make sure I stay in the team, because, as you say, Dex is a really good player and he will want to hang on to his place as well.
"Coxy could have been on the bench on Saturday, I know he wanted to be, but the manager decided not to risk him.
"I am sure he will train all this week and will be ready to go against Watford."
Forest had to ride out a storm of pressure in a first half dominated by Brighton – but Sharp says Sean O'Driscoll's side were still disappointed not to come away with three points.
"There were goals in the game, I cannot believe it ended 0-0," said Sharp.
"I thought we deserved a point, but we could also have had all three.
"They were the better team in the first half but if my effort had gone in, it would have been a different game and I might have had even more to celebrate.
"We were a bit open in the first half, we got away with a few things.
"But we said that we had to tighten up and we did that after the break.
"If my chance had gone in or if Dex had put his chance away after the break, we could have got all three points, because we kept that clean sheet.
"Hopefully we can keep things tight again at Watford, but also get a few at the other end."
