Barnsley v Nottingham Forest : Reds chief shrugs off decision to release O'Connor

The Tykes allowed O'Connor to return to parent club Birmingham City this week because of pressure on the club's wage bill.

Club owner Patrick Cryne had sanctioned the acquisitions of O'Connor and Chris Wood on loan from Premier League clubs but the team's results have dipped in the last three games.

Robins still has New Zealand international Wood, who is on a three-month loan from West Bromwich Albion, and summer signings Goran Lovre, Liam Dickinson and Jeronimo Neumann at his disposal along with experienced striker Andy Gray.

Speaking ahead of today's game, Robins ruled out the possibility of returning to the transfer market saying: "I'm happy to get down to work with the players we have got in the building. There are a lot of good things happening.

"I have asked them (Birmingham) to keep us informed of his (O'Connor's) situation and we'll see where we are in the next few weeks and if he may or may not be available.

"He has done great but there is more to come. He's been out a fairly long time."

O'Connor made four appearances during his Oakwell stay and scored his only goal on his debut against Leeds United.

At the end of last season, he was sidelined for six months following hip and groin surgery.

Wood returns from international duty with the Kiwis buoyed by scoring his first

goal at senior international level in a 1-1 draw with Honduras.

He was also involved in a 2-0 defeat against Paraguay on Tuesday.

The teenager celebrated the goal by dropping his shorts and Robins quipped: "You get booked for taking your shirt off if you score – he pulled his pants down and showed off his boxer shorts to the world.

"But, in all seriousness, I am delighted for Chris. Having scored his first international goal, he will be confident, and it will give him a boost."

Forest manager Billy Davies misses today's game due to illness but will still pick the side and remain in touch with his assistant David Kelly, the former Sheffield United striker.