Van Hooijdonk meets the media after returning to Forest (5 Live)

The Dutch striker breathed a sigh of relief and declared: "I am happy it is all over."

But he had to be accompanied to the City Ground by two bodyguards, and 10 security officers were on duty at the stadium as he arrived on Friday morning to face a media frenzy.

Van Hooijdonk trained with his team-mates after ending the stand-off he began in August, when he accused Forest of lacking ambition.

But he refused to give details of a behind-closed-doors meeting with manager Dave Bassett.

And he was unable to say when he would be back playing in the Forest first team again.

Bassett says he did not ask Van Hooijdonk back

"I spoke to the players and the manager and what was said should stay in the dressing-room," he said. "The atmosphere was okay.

"We spoke about things and you have to get on with it. I am a professional. I am here to do my best. I am happy to be back and training again. Hopefully I will be playing again soon.

"Nobody is secure in football. The only thing I can say is that I am a Forest player again. I hope I can do as well as possible. We will see what the future brings.

"I am committed to Forest and will try to be successful."

Security stepped up at City Ground

Radio 5 Live report from the City Ground as Van Hooijdonk returns

Van Hooijdonk was driven into the City Ground at 9.20am GMT and security staff swiftly closed the gates as photographers and reporters tried to get into the ground.

Following a 40-minute meeting with chief executive Phil Soar he arrived for training.

After warming up on his own he joined in a small-scale practice match with some of the team-mates he had criticised in the summer for being "not good enough".

There were no signs of any of the players shunning the outspoken star.

Bassett has revealed he is not happy with the return of a player who had upset his team-mates.

He said Forest's move to allow van Hooijdonk to rejoin the team was "not a footballing decision" and his hand had been forced by the club's board.

Fans fume over star's behaviour

The club's fans are also not prepared to offer their former hero a warm welcome back to the Midlands.

Forest supporters' club chairman Mel Hart said: "There are a lot of things to happen before he can be accepted.

"I think the players and manager have been put in an uncomfortable position."

Van Hooijdonk last trained with Forest in May, after scoring 34 goals and helping the side regain their Premiership status.

He went on strike after taking part in the World Cup and returned to the Netherlands to train with his former club NAC Breda.

He was placed on the transfer list by Forest with an £8m price tag, but there were no takers.