05/02/2008 - Forest sign striker
Nottingham Forest have today turned to Watford striker Will Hoskins to help revive their League One promotion push.
The Reds have agreed a loan deal to bring the 21-year-old to the City Ground until the end of the season.
They have also agreed a potential fee of around £500,000 with the Championship club, if they want to make the move permanent in the summer.
Forest boss Colin Calderwood has been monitoring the former Notts County trainee for several months and was considering a bid for the intelligent front-man even if the £1.5m move for Leon Best had been successful last month.
Hoskins was due in Nottingham this morning to finalise the details of the deal, after Forest reached a verbal agreement with Watford for his services.
Watford only signed him a year ago from Rotherham, in a joint £1m deal with former Mansfield player Lee Williamson.
But he has struggled to force his way into the Watford side this season – making only three appearances. He has also spent three months on loan at Millwall, hitting the back of the net four times in 12 games.
It is understood that Hoskins may not be the last arrival, with Calderwood considering further additions – particularly in midfield – following the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, a performance the manager admitted had given him extra motivation to bolster his squad.
Forest are also understood to be monitoring Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp, Leicester's Matty Fryatt and Freddy Eastwood, who has been sidelined at Wolves.
“We are always in the market for something,” said Calderwood.
“There is a chance for people to stake their claim for their places, with every performance.
“But there were question marks raised about everyone on Saturday, so you can read into that what you will.”
Calderwood says Forest will not rush into making signings for the sake of it and will do their research to ensure new arrivals will add genuine strength to the squad – which he remains convinced is far more capable than suggested at the Fitness First Stadium.
“We are much better than we showed on Saturday,” he said. “That was the first time we have been second best in all areas.
“It is not something we are going to rush into [the transfer market] because in terms of heart and spirit we are OK.
“But in testing times, we have to be better than we showed at the weekend.”