ELLIOTT Ward wants to repay Billy Davies' faith in him by helping Nottingham Forest to promotion – and improving his chances of securing a permanent move to the City Ground.
The on-loan Norwich defender is out of contract in the summer and admits he would love the chance to make a permanent move to Forest.
But he says his priority is to play a part in helping the Reds to secure the two wins they need to have a chance of making the Championship play-offs.
Ward is focused on helping Forest triumph at Millwall today, which would set up a thrilling final day showdown with local rivals Leicester City.
"When Sean O'Driscoll was here I had hoped I would have a long-term future here. Then when Alex McLeish was manager, I did as well," said Ward.
"I hope I can (have a long-term future) under Billy. But, at the minute, it is about getting to where we want to be, which is getting into the play-offs.
"If we can do that, then we will worry about taking care of the next step. If I help the team do well, if we can finish the season strongly, it is not going to do me any harm.
"I am here to do a job for Forest and I need to finish that off. I hope I can do that, along with the other lads. If things go well then everything else will take care of itself."
Ward says he has enjoyed life under Davies, who has made the defender a regular in the heart of his back four.
"It has been nice for me. Since the gaffer has come back in I have been in the team," said Ward.
"When he came here, I really felt that we were going to push on. It was important for me to then get in the team.
"I showed him what I can do and he has had faith in me since. I hope I can continue to play a part now."
Forest need Bolton to slip up at Cardiff today, to improve their chances of climbing back into the top six.
But manager Davies says Forest must merely focus on their own task, which is to overcome a Millwall side who still need points to be sure of safety.
"We don't expect favours from anyone," he said. "It will be a tough game. If we're going to win the match we have to go there with confidence and belief, and that's what we'll do.
"We need to go and win the game – that has been our attitude since I came in. Barring a bit of luck going against us recently and some excellent goalkeeping performances, as we saw against Barnsley last week, things might have been different for us.
"But competing at this stage of the season with the possibility of reaching 70 points and a play-off spot is something you've got to be pleased with."
