Garner talk not for now: Chris

BOSS Chris Hughton is focused on what James Garner offers Nottingham Forest now, rather than any talk about his future.

The Reds manager remains tight-lipped on the chances of the Manchester United loanee returning to the City Ground next season.

But with the midfielder continuing to put in impressive performances in the Garibaldi, a number of clubs are sure to be casting admiring glances his way.

Garner netted his third goal for Forest on Monday as he scored a stunning free kick to clinch a 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

He has made a big impact since joining the club on loan in January, having spent the first half of the campaign with Watford – and many Reds fans are eager for him to return, to get the chance to watch him in person.

The player’s agent, though, has said Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City and Rangers are keen on him, while he believes his form will also have put him in the thinking of United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Asked if he thought the 20-year-old’s displays would make it more difficult to get him back on loan next term, Hughton said: “At this moment, my thoughts are very much on what he’s giving us and how he’s helping us in the best way he can.

“It’s also about us helping his development and us having the best relationship with Manchester United we can.

“And then we’ll see what happens.

“He’s not our player, so it’s very difficult to talk about him in any terms.

“All I can say is the relationship with United has been very good and we’re delighted with what James is giving us.”

■Forest midfielder Marcus Mcguane is reportedly in talks over a permanent move to Oxford United.

The 22-year-old had been on loan with the League One outfit until a thigh injury ended his season early, his last game for the club coming against Bristol Rovers in January.

Former Arsenal and Barcelona man Mcguane has yet to feature for the Reds but made a positive impact in his 21 appearances for the U’s.

BBC Radio Oxford Sport claims discussions are under way about him returning to the Kassam Stadium in the summer.

In a cryptic message after his team’s 2-1 defeat to Accrington Stanley, Oxford boss Karl Robinson said: “Hopefully. If we get our work done this week, maybe we can get one or two things done.”

Asked if that would lift the camp, he added: “We’ll see. “It has to, doesn’t it. “Now, it’s about seeing how many points we can accumulate between now and the end of the season.

“If you fall short, it’s ‘where this season could you have been better?’.

“I put a big responsibility down to when we lost Marcus.”