NOTTINGHAM Forest hope to complete the signing of Premier League defender Elliott Ward today.
Sean O'Driscoll is close to completing a deal to bring the Norwich City centre-half to the City Ground on loan, to address a looming defensive crisis.
The 27-year-old, who played for O'Driscoll on loan at Doncaster, will initially sign for a month, but the move could be made more permanent in January, if he makes an impact.
Ward, who has won promotion from the Championship with both West Ham and Norwich, is expected to train with the Forest squad today, ahead of the trip to Oakwell tomorrow.
"We are in contact with a club right this minute," said O'Driscoll. "The club have agreed in principle, but these things take time.
"We certainly hope to have somebody in for Saturday."
Ward began his career at West Ham and then made more than 100 appearances for Coventry City, before moving to the Canaries on a free transfer in the summer of 2010.
He has played more than 50 times for Norwich, but has found himself out of favour.
Ward is needed with Daniel Ayala ruled out for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury, Greg Halford on the verge of suspension after picking up four bookings, Jamaal Lascelles sidelined with bone bruising and Sam Hutchinson with a knee problem.
Forest could make a decision over the on-loan Chelsea player's future today.
"Sam is currently back at Chelsea," said O'Driscoll. "We want to see where we are at; to see where both parties believe we are at.
"We will have some sort of decision today, when it comes to where we are with Sam.
"It is not the knee that was causing us concern when he signed. That knee has been fine. It is the other knee in which he has a problem with his tendon.
"He has had an injection and it has reacted really badly.
"Chelsea had hoped it could have him back in action within a few days, but it has been three weeks now and it is not something that looks like resolving itself any time soon.
"He is desperate to stay and we are keen to keep him."
John Pemberton has rejoined Forest's coaching staff as professional development coach, with responsibility for helping bridge the gap between academy football and the first team for the club's up-and-coming young stars.
