Defender Nicholas Ioannou is to be given a surprise Nottingham Forest lifeline ahead of the summer transfer window.
Ioannou, 26, has spent the past season out on loan at Italian side Como but will be given the opportunity to fight for a place in Steve Cooper's squad regardless of whether they are promoted or not to the Premier League, if he wants to stay. Forest find themselves within a contested race for the Championship play-offs. Cooper's side are fifth in the standings, seven points behind second-placed Bournemouth and four clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.
The Reds also have two games in hand over several of their rivals sat around them. Ioannou has made five appearances for Forest but has spent the past season on-loan at Como in Serie B. The 26-year-old has enjoyed the greater playing opportunities available to him as he has become a regular starter under Giacomo Gattuso.
