BILLY Davies has made Sam Hutchinson his first transfer target of the summer – as the defender fights to ensure he has not played his last game for Nottingham Forest this season.
The on-loan Chelsea man limped off with another knee problem as the Reds were frustrated by Barnsley on Saturday and manager Davies admits the full back is facing a battle to be involved against Millwall and Leicester City.
But Davies is convinced he is the man to revive Hutchinson's injury-hit career – and revealed that he hopes to bring him back to the City Ground next season.
The 23-year-old missed a huge chunk of the season when he reacted badly to an injection, administered by his parent club, that was intended to aid his long-standing knee issues.
But Davies believes Hutchinson can play a full season of football if his injury issues are properly managed – and hopes to have the chance to prove as much.
"We need to get him through a pre-season, to get him training regularly and conditioned properly. Then we can look forward to a new season," said Davies.
"I would also like him to stay. There is negotiation to be done with Chelsea, as they have an option of another year with the lad (on his contract).
"But he is a very good type, he is a good age, he has been unfortunate with his injury situation. I do think I could help him, if we get him on day one. I don't know if that would be on loan or a permanent move. I don't know.
"If we could get him right, from day one; if we can get him through pre-season training and get his conditioning right, there is no doubt he has a lot of ability. We need to really work hard with the lad.
"We need to get flexibility, core fitness, muscle – there are lots of little bits we need to look at with him.
"At the moment, we are in a stop-start position, which is not good for the lad.
"We will have to see what happens. We will try to get him fit again for this season, initially."
Davies does now face an injury crisis at right back, with Gonzalo Jara definitely ruled out for the remaining two games, as Forest look to secure a play-off place.
"This has been a difficult season for Sam and one or two others. We are hoping he should be OK (to face Millwall)," said Davies. "But Jara is going to miss the remaining games.
"Hutchinson, I hope, will be fine. But Jara has a knee ligament problem and will not play again this season.
"Hutchinson looks as though he has picked up a problem as well, but we don't know the depth of it yet.
"It looks as though it could possibly be tendonitis, but we are not sure. The boy was devastated.
"But I said to him that he has had a stop-start season."
