The pacey striker scored against Forest on the last home game of the 2000/2001 season under David Platt but has suffered off-the-field problems since then.
He was jailed for 18 months in May 2002 for driving a stolen car but was released in October.
Hart only has Marlon Harewood, David Johnson and Craig Westcarr for upfront cover and even used Michael Dawson for part of the second half against Cardiff on Saturday.
Chairman Nigel Doughty has backed Paul Hart's plans to strengthen the attacking third after missing out on Danny Webber, David Connolly and Shaun Goater in the summer.