Forest fail in bid to sign Luke Varney

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill has conceded his disappointment at the clubs failed attempt to sign Portsmouth forward Luke Varney on loan, before the Football League’s deadline day for loan signings on Thursday.

Despite the financial worries Portsmouth currently find themselves in with player departures becoming a formality, Forest could not secure a deal even though they spent the best part of a month trying to attain the Striker’s signature.

However despite this setback, the City Ground outfit may not be done just yet as far as the transfer window is concerned with the club currently embroiled in a battle to avoid the drop to League 1.

"Mark Arthur made a call to Portsmouth over a week ago," Cotterill told the Nottingham Evening post.

"But we just had some news yesterday. It is a bit disappointing that it took a week to get an answer and that it was 'no'.

"At this moment in time, he is staying at Portsmouth. I don't know if it is because they have enough to see them through to the end of the season because I have not been party to those conversations.

He went on:"Luke would have helped, because we lost Paul Anderson (to injury). Other than him, we only really have one other player, in Garath McCleary, who is an out-and-out wide player.

"Luke can do that, but he can also play up-front with a striker. He would have added something to the squad and the dressing room.

"He is a good character, he has pace – but we are talking a lot about a player who will probably not be coming here."

@simonblaquiere1

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