The 31-year-old striker has just completed a two-month loan at the City Ground and helped the club to runners-up spot in League One.

But before heading back to Lancashire for a well-earned rest with his family, he told reporters in Nottingham: "You never say never – I would love to come back.

"But I have a year on my contract left at Preston and we will have to wait and see what happens.

"I was not looking at my long-term future when I came here. I honestly don't know what will happen."

Ormerod's opportunities were limited last season at North End, with only eight starts in the league to his name.

Only three came under Alan Irvine and he was only making the substitutes' bench when Forest approached PNE in March.

He started 13 games at the City Ground, scoring twice, and was credited with playing a vital role in the club's promotion to the Championship after a three-year absence.

Forest clinched second spot behind Swansea after a dramatic final day, leaving Ormerod 'buzzing, but exhausted'.

"Football is full of ups and downs and I'm just happy that I decided to come here," he told the East Midlands media.

"I was not playing at Preston and I did not want a season to go by without kicking a ball as often as I would have liked.

"I have played virtually every game and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
"I said when I came that I just wanted to help Forest to win promotion and I am delighted to have been able to do that.

"I think we have only lost one since I have been here, which is a fantastic record.

"Coming here has been everything I had hoped for and more. It is sad I'm going back."

Irvine has said Ormerod will start with a clean slate during the summer with everyone, including the three players out on loan in recent months, competing for starting places in the side for next season.

Talking about a possible move for the striker from Forest during the summer break, Irvine said: "It has never been discussed. I have no doubt we will start to get some phone calls about our players, but that hasn't happened yet.

"And of course that doesn't mean to say we want to sell any players. There are certain ones who you just wouldn't consider selling and others who you have to consider.

"But, of course, everyone has a price and it depends on what kind of offers come in.

"As for Brett, Jason Jarrett and Joe Anyinsah who have been out on loan in the latter months of the season, they have all returned to us and they are our players.

"They will come back for pre-season ready to fight for their place alongside everyone else. Everybody starts with a clean slate on July 1."

Ormerod was brought in by Billy Davies in January 2006 on a free transfer from Southampton, but has started only 37 league games in two-and-a-half seasons.

He had a spell out after breaking his leg in the play-off semi-final against Leeds in the summer of 2006.

But with only 14 goals to his name in his time at Deepdale, he has fallen down the pecking order.

The return to fitness of Neil Mellor and the arrival of Chris Brown have pushed him further out of the first-team picture since Irvine took charge.