Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest
Taylor set to undergo operation Nottingham Forest's Gareth Taylor is to have minor knee surgery this week. The Forest striker, 32, was troubled by the problem in the last few months of the season but managed to play through until the end of the campaign. The Welsh international told the club website: "It was touch and go whether I needed surgery but I didn't want to run the risk of feeling it at pre-season. "I'll be running within 10 days of the operation and will be working hard over the summer to get myself fit."

Walker is fined after testimonial
Former England footballer Des Walker was arrested for being drunk just hours after his own testimonial match. The ex-Nottingham Forest defender was issued with a fixed penalty notice in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Police said they were called to reports of a domestic disturbance in The Park area of Nottingham where a 39-year-old man was arrested. On Monday evening nearly 14,000 fans watched a match in honour of his 14 years at Forest. Fixed penalty Stars at the game, which was followed by a private party in the Lace Market, included Stuart Pearce, Steve Stone, Ian Wright and Les Ferdinand. A spokesman for Notts Police said: "A 39-year-old man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly at an address in The Park after reports of a domestic disturbance at around 5.30am." Walker was not charged but received a fixed penalty notice of between £50 and £70. The footballer, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday and Sampdoria in Italy, retired from club football in 2004. Nottingham Forest football club, where Walker played for 10 years before leaving and returning for the final two years of his career, declined to comment on the arrest.

Forest fans honour legend Walker
Nottingham Forest legend Des Walker brought the curtain down on his illustrious playing career on Monday with a testimonial at the City Ground. 13,886 Forest fans turned up to pay tribute to Walker after a 20-year career in which he won 59 England caps. A Forest All Stars XI, including Stuart Pearce, Nigel Clough and Ian Wright, beat an International Select XI 5-4. "It was a special night and I think it ranks above anything else I achieved in the game," said an emotional Walker. He added: "I think everyone who was there will agree there was only one person missing from the night, and that is the great Brian Clough." Walker enjoyed two successful playing spells with Forest, the first from 1983 until 1992 and the second from 2002 until 2004. He left his job as coach at the City Ground in January when Gary Megson was appointed Reds' manager. Walker has been linked with a coaching position at Manchester City, where his old Forest team-mate Pearce has been appointed manager.

Forest buy McGovern memorabilia
Nottingham Forest have paid an undisclosed sum at auction to buy the shirt worn by John McGovern in their European Cup final triumph in 1979. McGovern was captain when Forest beat Swedish side Malmo in Munich. Forest's chief executive Mark Arthur said: "Images of John lifting the Cup are iconic to Forest fans of all ages. "We feel it is important that memorabilia from that glorious time is preserved at the City Ground rather than by a private collector." The shirt will eventually go on display at Forest, along with other items from the club's twin European Cup triumphs.

Millers make move for Robertson
Mick Harford is poised to make his first signing as Rotherham boss after agreeing a deal with Gregor Robertson. The Scotland Under-21 utility man will sign on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest, subject to a medical, when his contract expires at the end of June. Robertson, 21, can operate at left-back or on the left of midfield and will add much-needed steel to the Millers squad. Harford told the club website: "Gregor is strong, athletic and is the kind of young, mobile player I am looking for."

Powell is keen to keep on playing
Veteran midfielder Darryl Powell is keen to continue his playing career after leaving Nottingham Forest. The 34-year-old was released by Forest following their relegation to League One last season. Powell said: "I still feel I've got enough energy to keep playing, and I'll look to keep on playing for another couple of years. "Like many player it is my dream to be a top manager one day, but I want to play on for as long as I can."

Grimsby sign young keeper Lukic
Grimsby Town have signed teenage goalkeeper John Lukic. The 19-year-old son of former Arsenal and Leeds keeper John senior has been released by Nottingham Forest. Lukic told Grimsby's website: "My dad hasn't coached me but has always been there and comes to all my games. It'd be nice to follow in his footsteps. Mariners'boss Russell Slade is looking to add a second keeper to his squad following the likely departure of Anthony Williams.

Eastwood not for sale - Southend
Southend insist star striker Freddy Eastwood will not be joining Brighton, Nottingham Forest or any other club. The 21-year-old, whose 24 goals helped the Shrimpers win promotion, has been tipped to leave Roots Hall this summer. But deputy chairman Geoffrey King said: "He is not for sale. I had two calls within 10 minutes saying offers of £500,000 and £750,000 had been made. "At that rate, it could have reached £1m. Neither offer had been made and, as I say, he is not for sale." Eastwood himself has ruled out joining Forest, saying: "If I did leave, it would be for a Premiership or Championship side."

Campaign calls for Clough statue
A Nottingham campaign backing a bid for a statue of Brian Clough has begun. The ex-Nottingham Forest manager died in September 2004 and there have been calls for a permanent memorial to one of football's legendary characters. The Brian Clough Statue Committee is being backed by Forest and chairman Paul Ellis told the Nottingham Evening Post he hoped to raise around £60,000. "There's been a tremendous reaction. We hope people will take the campaign to their hearts," he said.

Forest complete Southall signing
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Gillingham midfielder Nicky Southall on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old rejected the Gills' offer of a new deal and opted instead to join their League One rivals. "There was interest from Championship clubs but when I knew Forest wanted me, that was that," said Southall. "Forest has a great history and I'm looking forward to being part of their future. It's a fresh start and playing for Gary Megson is an attraction." The former Bolton man also hinted that the delay in contract negotiations at Priestfield, following the departure of previous boss Stan Ternent, had been a factor. "I'd been waiting for most of the summer for something to be set down in front of me," he told BBC Radio Kent. "But nothing was set in stone - nothing was on the table, and in the meantime, various other clubs showed interest."

Preston deny interest in Commons
Preston chairman Derek Shaw has refused to be drawn on speculation the club are poised to make an offer for Nottingham Forest's Kris Commons. North End need to sign a left-sided player after losing Eddie Lewis to Leeds on a free transfer. But Shaw told the Lancashire Evening Post: "Kris is a highly-rated player and I would be very surprised if Forest wanted to part with him. "But people can start whatever speculation they like."

Ashes Test forces Forest switch
Nottingham Forest's August Bank Holiday game with Bristol City has been put back by 24 hours on police advice - because of a clash with the Ashes. The match, at Forest's City Ground, was originally scheduled for Monday, 29 August at 1500 BST. However, England's fourth Test against Australia is due to conclude at nearby Trent Bridge in Nottingham on that day. The Robins will now face Gary Megson's side on the following day, Tuesday, 30 August - with a 1945 BST kick-off.

Megson serves up dose of reality
Nottingham Forest manager Gary Megson has warned his players to be on guard against over-confidence. Forest begin life as the first former European Champions to sink into the third tier of their domestic football. Megson told Forest's website: "We mustn't start thinking we're above this division because we're not. "We must not fall into that trap, we were relegated and we are where we are and we've got to get our heads around it and get on with it."

Louis-Jean joins up with Norwich
Nottingham Forest defender Matthieu Louis-Jean has joined Norwich, with Gary Holt moving the other way. "I am delighted to be getting such a quality right-back," said Norwich boss Nigel Worthington of the 29-year-old on the club's website. "He is a very quick player who has played at the very highest level with Nottingham Forest. He will add value to the squad. "The move also gives Gary Holt an opportunity to carry on his career." Worthington added of the 32-year-old Scotland international: "I would like to thank Gary very much for his contribution to Norwich City and wish him the very best for the future." Louis-Jean, Forest's longest-serving player, made 29 appearances for Forest last season. The Frenchman scored three goals during his seven seasons at the City Ground, where he made 188 league starts. The defender is Worthington's first signing of the summer.

Walker in training with Mansfield
Nottingham Forest and England legend Des Walker is training with League Two side Mansfield Town. The 40-year-old is being put through his paces by Stags boss Carlton Palmer and may be offered a short-term deal. "First and foremost I have been doing my coaching badges, but playing is the best part of football," Walker told the Nottingham Evening Post newspaper. "I still think I can run around but I don't know if I will come back on a full-time basis." Walker's testimonial at Forest was watched by over 14,000 people in May to celebrate a career in which he won 59 England caps.

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