 Garner returned from his injury in late October 2008, when he started in a 1–0 home defeat to Cardiff City.He then scored his first goal for the club three weeks later, scoring the first goal in a 2–2 draw at Bristol City.A further two weeks later, he scored his first goal at the City Ground in Forest's 1–0 victory against Barnsley, and followed this up with another goal at Coventry City.