Thursday 20 November 2014 13:51, UK
Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock has turned down a loan move to Sheffield United.
However, Reds boss Stuart Pearce would be willing to let the 28-year-old leave the City Ground on a temporary basis ahead of next week's loan deadline.
Blackstock is fit again following almost a year out with a serious knee injury but it is understood he is reluctant to drop down into Sky Bet League One and therefore declined the opportunity to join Nigel Clough's Blades.
United's city rivals Sheffield Wednesday, who tried to sign Blackstock last season, are thought to maintain an interest in the player and a move to another Championship club would be more appealing.
Pearce told local media at his press conference on Thursday morning: "He had an option of going to Sheffield United, but did not feel it was right, at this moment in time, to go.
"We would view a possible loan move for him positively, but only if the right club came in for him.
"It would have to be the right financial deal for the club as well."
Blackstock, injured last December during a loan spell at Leeds, has made only a single substitute appearance for Forest this season - in the Capital One Cup at Tottenham.
With club-record signing Britt Assombalonga and Matty Fryatt ahead of him in the pecking order - and free-scoring Michail Antonio also having proved he is a threat when playing up front - Blackstock has found his chances limited.
Pearce added: "He has been out a fair while and the form of Britt and Matty ahead of him has kept him out.
"Unless we get an injury, a loan might be the best way forward for him.
"It would only be a short-term thing, as the squad is not big enough to enable him to go out for a long-term move.
"It is important for him to get first-team football, but at a good level hopefully."
