Holt, 26, was brought to the club by Gary Megson in 2006 but has frequently been linked with moves away.

The 6ft forward was almost offloaded to last season’s promotion rivals Bristol City during the 2007 January transfer window, but the ex-Rochdale forward opted to stay with Forest.

And during the summer of 2007 Holt confronted Forest chiefs over an improved contract that he had allegedly been promised.

Earlier in the season he was roundly criticised by supporters for openly coveting a move to a bigger club.

In a veiled parting shot, Holt told the media in Blackpool that Calderwood should have had more confidence in him.

He said: “I have a manager who has obviously decided to bring us in and that shows that he's got a bit of faith in us.

“I haven't got that at Forest at the minute so hopefully; I'll just come in and reward the opportunity he has given us really.”

The move will certainly come as a surprise to Forest fans, despite Holt’s poor form this season.

Much of the blame for Holt’s goal drought is pointed the way of manager Colin Calderwood.

Holt is a traditional lower league centre forward whose greatest strengths are his presence and his finishing.

Calderwood’s efforts to transform this one-dimensional hitman into a left-sided winger are a sad epitome of his hugely disappointing management of Nottingham Forest.

And after the season-long furore about the need to sign a striker it is something of a surprise that we go into the business end of the season with only three fit strikers – one of whom is carrying an injury (Junior Agogo), one of whom is always likely to pick up an injury (Nathan Tyson).

Surely we can expect developments soon?

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