Lansbury saga takes new twist

The long running Henri Lansbury saga is set to take another twist this weekend with the midfielder expected to return to the Nottingham Forest side that hosts Bristol City on Saturday.

According to a report in the Nottingham Post caretaker boss Gary Brazil will speak to the player this week about a return to action after two weeks sitting out over transfer speculation.

Forest have still to respond to a £3m bid made by Aston Villa with a move to Birmingham easier to swallow than seeing Lansbury turning out for Derby County who had a £2.5m bid rejected.

Brazil will discuss with the club hierarchy the footballing need for the player and weigh that up against the need to protect what could be a £3m asset in the next fortnight.

Forest are resigned to losing the 26-year-old at some stage but must decide whether to cash in now or lose a transfer fee in the hope that Lansbury can help them steer clear of the drop to League One.