Derby County loan player Craig Forsyth out to make an impression

WITH his future at Watford up in the air, Craig Forsyth is out to impress during his loan spell with Derby County.

Forsyth joined the Rams from the Hornets on an initial month-long deal on Monday and made his debut in the 1-1 draw at Cardiff City the following day.

The 24-year-old is under contract at Vicarage Road for another season but has found his first-team chances limited in Gianfranco Zola's cosmopolitan side.

And with Watford – helped by a raft of foreign loan stars – pushing for the Premier League, Forsyth knows it could be even tougher to force his way into the reckoning if they do get promoted.

So, the former Dundee man is keen to show what he has to offer at this level during his time at Derby, with Rams boss Nigel Clough weighing up his transfer options ahead of the summer.

"I've got another year on my contract at Watford but my circumstances will depend a lot on what happens to them this season," said Forsyth.

"If they go up, you look at what they've done this season and they'll probably do it again.

"So my opportunities would be limited, I'd say.

"This is a chance to play some football and impress a few people.

"You've got to try to take every opportunity you can get to impress – and, hopefully, that comes to something down the line."

Current Cardiff boss Malky Mackay was the man who brought Forsyth south of the border in the summer of 2011 but the player's arrival at Vicarage Road coincided with the manager moving to South Wales.

"It was a bit of complicated story," said Forsyth.

"I came down to meet him (Mackay) on the day Cardiff made their approach.

"Everything was agreed and I went back up the road – and he went to Cardiff.

"But Watford were good to their word and they still did the deal."

Forsyth played on the left side of midfield at Cardiff but he can also operate in defence.

"I've played a few positions this season," he said. "I've played as a left wing-back and a left centre-back for Watford.

"Last season, I mainly played as a left midfielder but I have also played a lot at left-back in my career.

"I feel very comfortable playing in either position."

Forsyth netted five goals for the Hornets last term and is hoping to chip in with a few for the Rams.

"I like to get plenty of shots off – and get in at the back post to meet crosses from the other side," he said.

"That's something I'll be looking to do during my time here – get a few goals."

Derby are back on the road this weekend when they take on Birmingham City at St Andrews.

Forsyth added: "I think the team showed at Cardiff that they can play some good football and will be a match for anybody.

"There's nobody to be scared of in the league. Every game, you've got a chance of winning.

"So we'll go to Birmingham and, hopefully, get the three points."