Rob Nothman reports for BBC Radio 5 Live

The Dutch striker is due to return to the City Ground on Thursday and is expected to resume training with the Premiership strugglers 24 hours later.

But manager Dave Bassett has made it clear that Van Hooijdonk is returning against his wishes.

"In an ideal world this would not have happened," Bassett said. "I was aware of a meeting that had taken place between Irving Scholar and van Hooijdonk but I was sworn to secrecy.

"I have to be professional about it, but this was not a football decision, it was a corporate decision.

"The club is the major factor. We have discussed the situation at plc level and I will go along with the decision of the board.

"We are not going to sell him while he's at home in Holland, so some form of action had to be taken. It was felt that this was the best way of dealing with it."

Van Hooijdonk, who scored 34 goals when Forest won the First Division title last season, has said he is prepared for a mixed reception from his team-mates after he went on strike, claiming the club lacked ambition.

"I am ready for a bit of, what shall we call it, banter from the players but I hope, after a meeting with them, that I can explain and build bridges," he said.

"I hope I can also can recover the relationship I had with the fans."