A transfer deal that Forest should not contemplate

Hull City have conceded 47 times in 31 league games this season; an average of 1.5 goals per game.

The Tigers lie just one place above the relegation zone on 29 points. Michael Dawson has started and captained the side in 28 of those 31 games this season and is 34 years of age.

Before getting into the discussion about the former Forest defender returning to the City Ground, I thought it would be good to put those statistics out there, just to show things from a wholly unemotional point of view.

For some Forest fans though, looking just at the hard facts isn`t the main consideration. Dawson started playing for us, and after glittering career at the highest level for both Tottenham and England, he warrants respect, and would do a job if he were to make a return after 13 years away.

There is some truth to the fact that his experience of the Premier League could help some of our young defenders. Players such as Joe Worrall could receive invaluable insight from a player who has played at the highest level in the Champions League and multiple seasons in the top flight of English football.

For sure, there is no doubt he can still orchestrate a defensive line, communicate and organise less experienced players beside him, and at least be an invaluable player to have in the squad to give out advice to team mates.

Certainly Karanka believes this to be the case with the club`s efforts in the last transfer window to sign the Hull defender.

We may even go back for him in the summer, according to recent reports, but personally, I don`t think it is something that we should be contemplating.

Experience is all well and good, but in the Championship, you can be found out very quickly if you are not up to the task. Dawson will be nearing 35 by the start of next season.

Hull`s poor defensive record this year may not be all his doing, but there has been question marks over whether he is still able to perform at a good enough level for what Forest require.

If we move to a secure a mid-table finish this season, we will certainly have more ambitious expectations for next campaign. Of course, the signing of the Ex-Forest star may give us some help in the short term, but Karanka`s plans should be looking further into the future, rather than looking back into our past for solutions.

We already have players like Daryl Murphy, Chris Cohen, Liam Bridcutt, Michael Mancienne and Danny Fox who are experienced at this level. Karanka`s decision to bring in more senior players like Ben Watson, Adlene Guedioura, as well as Lee Tomlin and Jack Colback on loan, also shows there is no lack of old heads around the place.

In my opinion, a quality centre back in his mid-twenties would be the ideal summer signing to compliment the squad.

Somebody who can hit the ground running and establish himself in our side for the next five years, rather than the year or two we would get by bringing Dawson back to the club.