CAPITAL One will not renew its sponsorship with Nottingham Forest when their current agreement finishes at the end of the season.
It marks the end of a six-year partnership between the two.

Forest are now in talks with a number of other interested parties and chief executive Mark Arthur said: "We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Capital One – a relationship that we believe has been mutually beneficial to both parties.

"We know Capital One have not taken the decision to bring their sponsorship to an end lightly."

Justin Basini, head of brand marketing at Capital One said: "We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Nottingham Forest and we are proud to have been their sponsor over the last six years.

"We have achieved a great amount with Nottingham Forest, both as the club's major sponsor and in the delivery of many joint community initiatives, but now feel it is time to move on. We wish the club every success for the future.

"We will be launching a new sporting and educational partnership that will benefit the local community next week."

Tags: Capital One, Sponsors

The 22-year-old was allowed to leave Loftus Road on Thursday despite being the club's leading scorer with 12 goals, seven more than nearest challenger Heidar Helguson.

The move was even more surprising as Helguson is out injured leaving Rangers boss Paulo Sousa with just one fit striker in Samuel Di Carmine.

"I was a bit surprised that I was allowed to go," Blackstock told Forest's official website. "Especially with Heidar out for the season.

"It was a bit of a surprise for me but then again it was an opportunity for me to come to such a big club.

"It wasn't going stale at QPR, I was far and away their top scorer on 12 goals and I thought I was having a decent season."

Nottingham Forest have completed the loan signing of Queens Park Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock until the end of the season.



The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals for Rangers this season but has struggled to hold down a regular place.
The England Under-21 international has also played for Southampton, as well as loan spells at Plymouth and Derby. He becomes Forest's seventh loan player and could make his debut in next Saturday's match at Barnsley.

Tags: Dexter Blackstock, Loan Signings

Striker Adam Newbold, 19, who has made six appearances as a substitute this season, has joined Stalybridge Celtic in Blue Square North.


Defender Richard Tait has also moved to the same division, linking up with former Forest player Gary Mills, who is in charge at Tamworth.

The 22-year-old is currently stalling on signing a new contract with QPR, sparking interest from several clubs.

Having failed with a loan bid for former Forest favourite Marlon Harewood, Davies is desperate to add to his forward line ahead of Thursday's loan deadline as he seeks to secure his side's Championship status.

"We are looking to bring in one or two before Thursday, but we are also putting one or two things in place for the summer as well," Davies told the Nottingham Evening Post.

"We are looking at several targets and making several enquiries and Dexter Blackstock is among one of those names we are asking about. He is one of several players we are looking at.

"We know we have a rebuilding job to do, we know we have to plan for the future. At this moment we are looking at possible targets and doing all we can to look at possible targets now. We do not want to get to the summer and then be scrambling for possible targets. We need to get ahead of the game now."

Tags: Dexter Blackstock, Loan Signings

Billy Davies told the club's official website: "I'm obviously very disappointed but I've said all along that we only want players who want to come to Nottingham Forest to be part of our future.

"If people decide that's not for them then we wish them all the best and we move on."

He added: "Apparently the deal was done - it was more or less signed, sealed and delivered. That was the information that I got and then I received a phone call to say the player had decided to go elsewhere."

BUT...

Marlon Harewood's representative Phil Sproson says the player was not given the option of a move to Forest before Wolves entered the picture.

Sproson said in the Daily Mirror: "Villa said no to Forest, so Marlon spoke to Martin O'Neill who has now decided to loan him out.
"It was only then that Wolves expressed an interest."

Tags: Marlon Harewood, Loan Signings

NOTTINGHAM Forest have been left furious after Aston Villa allowed Marlon Harewood to join Championship rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Evening Post understands that Forest yesterday believed they had finally negotiated a deal to bring the 29-year-old back to the City Ground, after more than a week of talks.

But the former Reds front-man is now set to sign for the West Midlands club this weekend, after the two clubs agreed a fee for a permanent move in the summer.
Wolves' late interest saw the Premiership club persuaded to allow him to move to Molineux instead, as the deal will see them recoup some of the £4m fee they paid for West Ham for Harewood in 2007.

Forest would themselves have been interested in making the move permanent in the summer, but Harewood is understood to have preferred a switch to a club chasing promotion to the Premiership, rather than fighting relegation into League One – despite previous claims that he was 'desperate' to return.

Marlon Harewood will be signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, rather than Nottingham Forest," said manager Billy Davies, who must now resume his search for a striker.

Davies had been keen to add Harewood to his squad to add a powerful, physical presence to his front-line as they go into their critical final seven games of the season – and had hoped he would be signed in time to face Wolves tomorrow.

It is unlikely that the deal will be completed in time for Harewood to make his Wolves debut at the City Ground, although Wolves are likely not to utilise him anyway, even if his move is completed.

Source: Nottingham Evening Post

Tags: Marlon Harewood, Loan Signings

Nottingham Forest have swooped to sign Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner on loan until the end of the season.



The 24-year-old is set to make his debut for the struggling Championship side when they face Wolves on Saturday.

Turner joined Everton from Stirling Albion in 2003 but has made only six appearances for David Moyes' side.

He has had spells on loan with Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, but has not played a competitive match since May 2007.

Forest boss Billy Davies was desperate to bolster his squad after Saturday's 5-0 humbling at Burnley, which left them in the relegation zone ahead of the visit of leaders Wolves.

"It's no secret that we've been looking for a goalkeeper to provide competition," said Davies, who publicly criticised Forest keeper Paul Smith at the weekend.

"Iain Turner fits the bill perfectly. He is a keeper with good pedigree and great potential and this situation helps us and Everton."

And Turner is ready for the challenge of helping Forest climb away from relegation trouble.

He said: "I'm looking forward to it immensely - it's a great opportunity for me and I intend to grasp it with both hands (as opposed to flap at it with one like Smudger! - ed)

"Forest's position doesn't concern me. I've played in the Championship before, I know how tight a league it is and how quickly it can turn around."

Born 1984. 6 ft 4 in. Played for hometown team Stirling Albion before being transfered to Everton in January 2003. Was capped for Scotland in the U-16, U-18 and U-21 squads. Has been part of the senior set-up but not yet capped. Has had a number of loan spells. Interestingly, he seems to have saved the Owls from relegation in 2007. They didn't lose a single of the eleven games he played for them, after having lost nine on the trot. 56 games played overall, with 19 clean sheets.

Nottingham Forest have signed Tottenham Hotspur's Wales international defender Chris Gunter on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old, who joined Spurs for £3m from Cardiff in January 2008, becomes Billy Davies' third signing since taking charge at the City Ground.

Davies told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I'm delighted to bring in Chris because he can play full back on both sides.

"He is competitive, he's played at this level and is proven at this level."

Gunter is expected to go straight into the Reds team for Saturday's trip to Burnley, with Kelvin Wilson, Ian Breckin, and Joel Lynch all doubtful.

He has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League since Harry Redknapp took charge at White Hart Lane in October.

On Redknapp, Gunter told BBC Sport in January: "If he thinks it would be best for my development to go on loan and play, then I'll do it."

Tags: Chris Gunter

Wes Morgan has signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest which will keep him at the club until 2012.



The commanding centre-half joins fellow Reds Nathan Tyson and James Perch in penning a new long-term deal at the City Ground.

Billy Davies is delighted to have concluded an 'excellent piece of business' and believes Morgan will play an integral role in the future of the club.

"We are delighted with the news and I am sure all Nottingham Forest supporters will be as well," Davies told the club's official website.

"Wes is a player who gives everything for this football club and wears his heart on his sleeve every time he goes onto the field.

"Although he has a lot of games under his belt he is still a young man and I'm looking forward to working with him and helping him improve as a player still further.

"When you look at the likes of Wes Morgan, it is what the future of this football club is all about."

Tags: Wes Morgan

Nottingham Forest are set to include new loan signing Gary McSheffrey for Swansea's visit to the City Ground.



But defender Wes Morgan is suspended, leaving James Perch and Ian Breckin fighting to replace him.

Midfielder Guy Moussi could also return.

Captain Garry Monk is still out for Swansea City with a back injury.

Centre-back Monk joins long-term injury victims Ferrie Bodde and Marcos Painter on manager Roberto Martinez's Swansea sick-list.

Tags: Gary McSheffrey

Forest have signed Birmingham’s Gary McSheffrey on loan for a minimum of 29 days.

The 26-year-old arrives at the City Ground on a deal that could see him stay until the end of the season, although the Blues will have an option to recall him following the Barnsley match...

Boss Billy Davies said he was looking forward to working with McSheffrey, whose loan spell could be extended.

"He's a player I've admired for several years. He's a major threat both as a creator and scorer of goals," Davies told the club's official website.

"It's a fresh challenge and I'm sure he will be a great acquisition for us."

Forest have the option to keep McSheffrey at the City Ground for longer than the initial 29-day stay if the deal works out.

However Birmingham will then have the right to recall the player if they want to.

McSheffrey, 26, joined the Blues for £4m from Coventry in 2006 but has fallen out of favour at St Andrew's.

McSheffrey only returned to first-team action against Sheffield United on Sunday having been sidelined with tendonitis in his knee since mid-September.

With competition for places becoming increasingly competitive at St Andrew's as the season reaches its climax, manager Alex McLeish is keen to see the 26-year-old get some much-needed match practice under his belt.

Blues have inserted an instant recall option into the agreement which becomes active after midnight on April 4 should the Midlands outfit require his services again during the campaign.

McSheffrey joined Birmingham for £4million back in August 2006 and became an instant hero by firing 16 goals to help the club gain promotion to the Premier League.

But he struggled to find his form in the top flight and has been hit by injury this term.

Tags: Gary McSheffrey

Nottingham Forest have this afternoon signed Aston Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne on loan until the end of the season.

It is Billy Davies' first signing since becoming manager at The City Ground in January.

The deal was clinched in time for the Birmingham-born 21 year old to go straight into contention for a place in the Forest side to face Preston North End at The City Ground tomorrow.

Osbourne has made six appearances for Villa's first team this season, having made his debut for them in the 2006-07 campaign.