ALEX McLeish's future as Nottingham Forest manager still hangs in the balance.
The Scot took training as normal yesterday, before holding lengthy talks with the club's owners, as he demanded answers over a frustrating deadline day that was capped off by the collapse of George Boyd's transfer to the City Ground.
McLeish spent close to two hours in talks with chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi and the duo did discuss a plan for the future, including potential transfer targets.
But while rumours that he had already resigned over the issue – which saw the Forest hierarchy pull the plug on the move after the player allegedly failed an eye test on Thursday – were unfounded, it is understood that McLeish remains uncertain about his future.
McLeish will put himself in the firing line when he takes charge of Forest when they take on his former club Birmingham at St Andrew's today. But it could yet still prove to be his final game in charge, if the events of the last few days do prove to be a turning point.
As well as the dramatic collapse of the move to sign Boyd, Forest failed in their efforts to sign Wolves defender Stephen Ward and winger Chris Burke from Birmingham City, with bids for both players rejected.
And, as a result, McLeish's hopes of three new signings on Thursday were dashed as Forest failed to make a single further addition.
The club have added Gonzalo Jara and Elliott Ward on loan until the end of the season and Darius Henderson on a short-term deal, to take the number of new additions this season to 18. But McLeish had hoped for longer-term signings.
The manager publicly played down rumours of a row with the club's hierarchy last week. But there have been disagreements over the club's transfer policy.
And the Al Hasawi family, who issued a statement through chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi last night, could yet find themselves looking to appoint the club's FOURTH manager since they took over in July, following the immediate dismissal of Steve Cotterill and the Boxing Day sacking of Sean O'Driscoll.
Forest legend Garry Birtles says he would not have blamed McLeish had he chosen to walk away from the club already and he warns that, if McLeish is to have a future at the City Ground, he must be allowed to manage the club on his terms.
"Alex is an experienced manager, he has worked under Alex Ferguson, one of the best," said Birtles. "If you want him to manage the club, let him do it how he feels best."
