Billy Sharp has revealed that he did not want to become "stale" after leaving Southampton to join Nottingham Forest on loan.

The 26-year-old scored eight goals to help Southampton to promotion to the Premier League but joined Forest after being told by manager Nigel Adkins that he was not part of his first-team plans.

Sharp told the Nottingham Post: "It was best for me to leave Southampton. I don't want to be sat around not playing, because then you go stale. Things would have to change for me to go back there.

"I am a Nottingham Forest player now and I am looking forward to being part of things here.

"Hopefully I will play a lot of games and score a lot of goals."

Sharp could make his debut in Forest's match with Birmingham City.