FOREST manager Paul Hart has been forced to get rid of several key players in recent weeks and Stan Ternent knows what he is going through.

"I have been there and done that at other clubs I have been at, working with two hands tied behind my back," said the Burnley boss as he prepared for tomorrow's clash with Hart's men at Turf Moor.

"It is a situation he has inherited but he has done an extremely good job there. Sometimes your hand is forced and you have to throw the kids in. You have to balance the books."

The exit door has been busy at the City Ground as already this season Forest have sold Andy Johnson to West Brom, Alan Rogers to Leicester, Chris Bart-Williams to Charlton, Stern John to Birmingham and teenager Jermaine Jenas to Newcastle United.

In addition David Johnson is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday which suggests that

Hart may stick with the lone striker system he has employed in the last couple of games.

Goals have been very hard to come by this year with the three they struck at Stockport County a rare glut.

Marlon Harewood has been a solo striker with support coming from the five-man midfield.

But it is one of that quintet that has caught the eye of Burnley's Kevin Ball.

"I think David Prutton is a tremendous player and I am a bit surprised he is not one of those that has gone," he said about the England Under-21 player.

"Before long a Premier League club will have a good look at him."

Forest won a tight game at the City Ground in the autumn when Bart-Williams found the net with a deflected shot past Nik Michopoulos.

The Clarets could not find a way past the defensive duo of Jon Olav Hjelde and Ricardo Scimeca who have been in fine form for most of the season.

Once again Hart will be turning to young players in the hope of a bright end to a season that started full of promise. Ternent must hope his side can make their extra experience count.