Forest want Kinnear

Relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest have confirmed plans to appoint Joe Kinnear as their new manager within 48 hours.

Paul Hart was sacked in the aftermath of Saturday's 1-0 City Ground defeat by Coventry, their 14th successive outing without a win.

In a statement on Forest's website, www.nottinghamforest.co.uk, chairman Nigel Doughty said: 'We're in discussions at the moment with Joe and I would hope we could move our negotiations forward in the coming 48 hours.

'During his time at Wimbledon he was a key figure in developing a lot of talented young players who have become household names in football and everyone knows how much emphasis we put on the academy at Nottingham Forest.

'He's also an inspirational and charismatic figure and his popularity with supporters at his previous club speaks volumes for the job he's done.

'He had tremendous success at Luton who he took to promotion in his first full season before they were gripped by financial and ownership problems.'