Nottingham Forest

Sky Blues planning Staunton talks
Coventry boss Micky Adams is planning showdown talks with veteran defender Steve Staunton - who has failed to report for pre-season training. The 36-year-old has been linked with a move to League One side Walsall, who have offered him a player-coach role. Adams said: "I am very disappointed Stan has not turned in and I would like to find out the reason why." "Where do we go from here? That is something I need to speak to the player about before speaking to the press." Meanwhile, the Sky Blues have agreed terms with out-of-contract Crewe keeper Clayton Ince and striker James Scowcroft, who has been released by Leicester, reports BBC WM. Ince, 32, has signed a two-year deal, while Scowcroft, 29, is set to sign a three-year contract, subject to the player passing a medical. City have also taken ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder Darryl Powell on trial. Also hoping to earn deals are former QPR goalkeeper Chris Day and defender Paul Watson, who played under Adams at Brighton but was released by the Seagulls this summer.

Forest snap up Eaden from Wigan
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of full-back Nicky Eaden from Wigan on a free transfer. Eaden, 32, has signed a two-year deal at the City Ground as Forest aim to bounce back from relegation. The former Barnsley and Birmingham defender played 39 times as Wigan won promotion to the Premiership for the first time last term. He becomes Forest boss Gary Megson's third summer signing after midfielders Nicky Southall and Gary Holt.

Forest continue chase of Barker
Nottingham Forest remain on the trail of Cardiff full-back and player of the year Chris Barker. The Midlands club are thought to have had a bid of £100,000 for the 25 year old turned down last week. Cardiff owner Sam Hammam told BBC Sport Wales that he did not think a move for Barker to Forest was "plausible". But they are thought likely to come back with another bid next week, meaning Barker could follow Peter Thorne and Lee Bullock out of Cardiff. West Ham are also expected to prise Danny Gabbidon and James Collins out of Ninian Park, as the troubled Welsh side look to cut the wage bill and reduce their £30m debts. Jason Koumas is a possible new arrival at the club, though. The Welsh international midfielder is unwanted by West Brom and could come to Ninian Park on a loan deal. Barker joined Cardiff from Barnsley for £600,000 in 2002. He initially failed to impress and was thought to be on his way out of the club when he was loaned to Stoke last season. But hard work and consistent performances saw him regain favour and become a key member of the Cardiff team.

Forest complete deal for Breckin
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of central defender Ian Breckin from Wigan Athletic for £350,000. The 29-year-old has penned a three-year deal at the City Ground and has set his sights on promotion from League One. "I know I'm dropping down but I don't think Forest will be in this league for very long," he told the club's website. "Once I heard Forest were interested no one had to sell the idea to me. Last season must have been disappointing but we are heading in the right direction." He added: "I just can't wait to get playing here but I realise there is a lot of hard work ahead of me in pre-season before we start looking at the first game." Breckin missed only four Championship games for Wigan last season as they won promotion to the Premiership.

Forest sign QPR left-back Padula
League One side Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of QPR left-back Gino Padula on a free transfer. The 29-year-old Argentine has signed a two-year contract with the City Ground side after his deal with Rangers expired at the end of last season. "I'm aware of the great history here. The name of Forest is well-known in my country and it will create a lot of interest back home," said Padula. "I'm aware Forest attract big crowds and I can't wait to play for them." Padula played over 100 games for QPR after joining them on a free from Wigan in July 2002. He becomes Forest's fifth summer signing after Nicky Southall, Gary Holt, Nicky Eaden and Ian Breckin.

Commons pledges future to Forest
Nottingham Forest winger Kris Commons has pledged his future to the League One side despite their relegation from the Championship last season. Commons, 21, was the shining light as the Reds went down and has attracted attention from the Premiership. But he told BBC Sport: "I read the papers and I see what's said about me but 90% of the stories are rubbish. "I've spoken to the gaffer and I've expressed my interest in staying at the club and hopefully we'll get promoted." As a Forest fan Commons admits last season was hard to bear but says they must put relegation behind them. "I was devastated. It was embarrassing for a club the size of Nottingham Forest to be relegated and it was really depressing throughout the summer," he added. "It takes a while to sink in, I'm not sure it has fully even now. "I've had a good look at the fixtures since they came out and it doesn't seem right we're going be playing Chesterfield and Yeovil and Doncaster, it's just unheard of. "That's why we have to make sure we have a good season. We will go into every game to win three points and see where it takes us." West Brom and relegated Norwich have both been linked with Commons but he wants to concentrate on getting Forest back into the Championship. "I believe I can achieve my ambitions with Forest but it's going to be difficult because we're in League One," he added. "We've made some good signings, some experienced players who have been promoted with their other clubs, and that's a good thing as they've got the experience we need to carry us out of the league. "In the bookies we've been made big favourites but we'll try to block it out, we know how hard teams like Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford have found it down here. "The likes of Yeovil are going to come to the City Ground and play in front of 20,000 and it will be like a cup final, but we'll have to treat it as our cup final too." Commons produced some stunning performances last season - notably in the FA Cup fifth round at Tottenham - and he knows there will be pressure on him to shine again this time around. "I came into a side that was losing games and wasn't playing well so there was no pressure on me, I got thrown in because of injuries and suspensions and tried to keep my place," said the former Stoke wideman. "I played well against Spurs in the FA Cup and got a lot of confidence from that and the reaction that followed. "There's going to be pressure on me next season but it's the sort of thing you have to deal with. World-class players have that pressure every time they play."

Megson happy with Forest fitness
Nottingham Forest manager Gary Megson is pleased with the level of fitness his players have shown during the first stage of pre-season training. "It's been fitness work all the way up to now," he told the club's website. "The players will not do any work with a ball until they get to Denmark on Monday. The good thing is that we have not picked up injuries. "There have been one or two moans, but they have surprised me with their attitude and professional manner."

Forest pair attracting interest
Nottingham Forest manager Gary Megson has confirmed there has been interest for transfer-listed duo Marlon King and Adam Nowland. The pair were among five players that were put up for transfer at the end of last season and have not been taken on the club's trip to Denmark. Megson told the club website: "It's starting to pick up a little bit. "There have been one or two enquiries for Marlon and one or two clubs have enquired about Adam as well."

Hornets land Forest striker King
Watford have signed Nottingham Forest striker Marlon King on loan with a view to a permanent move. The 25-year-old will spend the next season at Vicarage Road, although after six months the Hornets will have the option of making the stay long-term. King failed to impress Gary Megson when he took control in January and the Jamaica star also fell out of favour with previous boss Joe Kinnear. King became one of five players listed by Megson at the end of last season.

Forest keeper faces scan on knee
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Paul Gerrard is to have a scan on his injured knee after flying back from the club's pre-season tour of Denmark. Gerrard flew back on Thursday before playing a game and boss Gary Megson is keen to find out what the problem is. "Paul complained of discomfort in one of his knees," said Megson. "We're hoping it won't prove to be too serious, but we felt the best course of action was to get him back to England for a scan."

Forest agree deal for goalkeeper
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with Danish side AGF Aarhus to sign goalkeeper Rune Pedersen. Forest are currently on tour in Denmark and manager Gary Megson decided to pursue his interest in the 25-year-old after he impressed on trial. "It's just a case of sitting down and reaching agreement on personal terms," Forest chief executive Mark Arthur told the club website. "We hope we can finalise the deal in the next 48 hours."

Megson launches attack on players
Gary Megson has heavily criticised his Nottingham Forest players after they ended their Denmark tour with a loss. Forest went 1-0 up but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Slagelse. "For the first 30 minutes we were very good but it was as though at that point someone turned a tap off," Megson told the club's website. "All the things we had been doing in training just went out of the window and consequently our performance became something of a dog's breakfast."

Johnson wins recall from Megson
Transfer-listed striker David Johnson has been named by Gary Megson in the Nottingham Forest squad for the two-match pre-season trip to Devon. The 28-year-old striker fell out with Megson midway through last season, and was loaned to Sheffield United. But he has been recalled to the first-team fold after being overlooked for the club's trip to Denmark. John Thompson, Scott Dobie and Jack Lester miss the games against Exeter and Torquay through injury.

Chesterfield make double signing
Chesterfield have signed ex-Nottingham Forest keeper Barry Roche and former Kidderminster defender Reuben Hazell. Roche, 23, who spent five years at the City ground, has signed a two-year deal with the Spireites. Hazell, 26, who has also played for Tranmere and Torquay, has sealed a short-term deal until 31 December. "These two players have showed they have something to offer during pre-season training," Chesterfield boss Roy McFarland told the club's website.

Wembley job for Forest groundsman
Nottingham Forest head groundsman Steve Welch has been appointed as head grounds manager at the new Wembley Stadium, which is due to open in 2006. Welch was Professional Football Club Groundsman of the Year in 2002. "I can't wait to get started. Working at the national stadium is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Welch admitted. "I am thrilled that I have been chosen to ensure that the new Wembley Stadium's playing surface is as good, if not better than its predecessor." Having been chosen from more than 50 applicants, he will begin work at Wembley in October. "When I saw the job at Wembley advertised, I just knew I had to apply," he added. The Football Association insists that the new stadium is on track to be completed in time to hosts this season's FA Cup final on 13 May, 2006. However, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium has been booked as a stand-by in case Wembley is not ready in time.

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