Nottingham Forest midfielder Nicky Southall could be back in action in a month's time.

It was feared that Southall's season had come to a premature end after he sustained a shoulder injury in the early stages of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bristol City following a collision with goalkeeper Adriano Basso.

But the 34 year old has today been given some good news after seeing a specialist at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre.

He said: "I've been told that there's no need for me to undergo surgery and that I could be back in a month, which is positive news.

"There were fears that I would have to have an operation and would be out for three months, which would have finished my season, but things are looking up.

"It's disappointing from my point of view that I'm going to have to miss games but it's much better news than it could have been."

Southall, who has damaged the AC joint in his right shoulder, is Forest's joint top scorer with seven goals and has played in all but two of the Club's games so far this season.