Forest laugh off Davies claims

Nottingham Forest have described reports that they have refused two rival Championship clubs permission to talk to manager Billy Davies as "nonsense".

A national newspaper claimed that QPR and Sheffield United want the Scot, whose record in the second tier is exemplary having guided Preston to the play-offs and got Derby promoted to the Premier League.However, a Forest spokesman stated that there had been no contact with either club.

Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham have been placed in caretaker charge of QPR following the suspension of boss Jim Magilton for an alleged dressing room altercation with midfielder Akos Buzsaky, but Kevin Blackwell remains the manager of Sheffield United.

Davies took over at the City Ground in January and saved the club from relegation last season. In his first full campaign at the helm Forest currently lie fourth in the Championship table.