Free agent Mikele Leigertwood has reportedly done enough during a trial period to earn a permanent contract with Nottingham Forest.

The 31-year-old has been without a club since his deal with Reading expired at the end of last season.

However, providing that he can overcome a hip injury sustained in Forest's 1-0 friendly victory over West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, manager Stuart Pearce is hopeful that he can secure the midfielder's services on a permanent basis.

"He could be vital to us. Hopefully he will recover from that injury and we can push forward with him," Pearce is quoted as saying by the Nottingham Post. "He is here on trial at the minute, but we hope he overcomes the injury. That is the only question mark with him at the minute, but I have been impressed with him on and off the pitch.

"If we can get him fit, then there will be something at this club for him. I have been very impressed with him. He conducts himself in the proper manner and is the type of person I would like to work with. Hopefully we can resolve something this week."

Leigertwood spent four seasons with Reading, whom he joined from Queens Park Rangers.