Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson is poised to resume his loan spell at Nottingham Forest after recovering from a knee injury, according to Reds boss Billy Davies.
Hutchinson, who retired from football in August 2010 because of a knee problem before returning to the game 18 months later, was sent back to Stamford Bridge for treatment in September.
The 23-year-old was expected to be out for just a fortnight but complications have seen him sidelined for five months.
Davies told the Nottingham Post: "He has started training again, with Chelsea, and we are hopeful he will be back with us shortly.
"He is getting fit and should be back in the squad within 10 days or so.
"Having him back would be a real boost because he is a good player. He has quality. But we need to get him back, to get him fit and then we will see who wants the jersey the most."
Hughton has been criticised by some of the club's fans for his negative formations is recent games as he looks to halt a slide of nine league games without a win.
Despite the poor run, a string of positive results before Christmas mean Hughton's side remain six points clear of the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.
Norwich are striving to end their winless run and Hughton is unconcerned with how that elusive victory comes about.
"Whether it is a classy performance where you are creating a lot of chances or a scrappy one-goal win it doesn't matter," he said.
"What you have to have is a team who are fighting hard for each other and are a disciplined team who are a threat.
"I think you have to dig deep in every performance. We are what we are, a team who have to scrap for every result we get and it will be no different in the last 12 games we have.
"We went through a spell of 10 games where we didn't lose. Are we doing anything dramatically different to that? No, we are not.
"However that win comes, whether it is by a stylish performance or a fortunate own-goal, it is part and parcel of the game.
Hughton remains pleased with the effort and displays from his side, who earned a dramatic 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park earlier in the campaign.
"I think overall we have been happy with our performances," he said.
"We have had three big defeats this season when we look back on it, but overall, and by far the larger percentage, our games have been tight games, but it is turning the tight games, which have seen us get draws, into wins and whatever formula that takes.
"The work ethic I absolutely can't fault and everyone has been putting in a real shift for the team, from that aspect I've been delighted with that."
The return of skipper Grant Holt from a small back issue, which ruled him out of the 0-0 draw with Fulham last time out, will be a boost for Hughton's search for goals and the former Newcastle boss also refutes claims he and Holt have had a disagreement in recent weeks.
"He is available, which is a plus," Hughton said of his captain.
"It is absolutely not true (that they have had a falling-out). I'm very, very surprised to hear that, Grant has been an integral part of what we have done, not only this season but in the past three seasons he has been here.
"Any suggestions are way off the mark and I'm not sure where they come from."
Only goalkeeper John Ruddy is a certain absentee against the Toffees with Hughton having a decision to make on whether to play two forwards with new signings Luciano Becchio and Kei Kamara both pushing for starts.
