Nottingham

Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton (15:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno refused to comment on the reports linking Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah with a move to Forest.

• On the loan signing of Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno: "He can give us another option at full-back. He is a good player and as a club we had the chance to bring him in."

• He confirmed he is yet to make a decision on whether Moreno will feature against Southampton.

• On midfielder Danilo's broken ankle: "It is a big loss for us. We wish him the best. The last reports we had is that it is a serious injury, but we are confident he is going to come back strong and ready to play."

• Nuno is hopeful Danilo can have surgery next week but added it is too early to say how long he would be out for.

• He confirmed Joe Worrall is likely to depart amid links of a move to Burnley, adding: "It is not done but I wish him all the best."

• On what Worrall brought to Forest: "His behaviour as a [former] club captain has been amazing. I recall in pre-season when he had a knock in the warm-up but he still wanted to play and help us build what we wanted to build in that moment."

• On Southampton: "Playing the champions Manchester City is equally as difficult as Southampton because the level is very high [in the Premier League]."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.

Image source, Getty Images

Ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge believes his former club has enough quality within their squad to avoid another relegation battle in the Premier League this season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football reflecting on Forest's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, Hodge said: "We have enough in this squad of players to be 14th or 15th and not fear going down this year - barring a raft of injuries and things going against us, like stupid red cards."

He said progress "will be gradual" and added: "We've had two years of strife, but I think this year with some calmness and injuries being decent, I think we'll be fine - I really do.

"I don't think the owner will hold back on his desire to get Forest established - it may take three or four years."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast has landed.

Colin Fray is joined by Forest manager Nuno, Ryan Yates, Elliot Anderson and ex-Forest midfielder Steve Hodge to discuss Saturday's draw with Bournemouth.

You can also hear from former Reds player Gary Mills, who speaks about his hopes for the club this season.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Saints and Sinners podcast, England cricket legend and Nottingham Forest fan Stuart Broad has been giving the insight into Southampton's next opponents.

The cricketer, who was born in Nottingham, said: "I think we've made some brilliant signings this year, we look stronger and it was a disappointing result with Bournemouth at the weekend [a 1-1 draw].

"That is probably a really good place for us to be, if we're disappointed not getting three points against Bournemouth - it shows we've got a strong group of players."

Speaking about Saturday's upcoming fixture, Broad said: "I think there will be goals, from memory last time it was a freezing cold night and both teams were struggling a little bit.

"The atmosphere was a little bit edgy - whereas this, both teams have hope and we're still at that stage where we're both buzzing with hope, so I think it will be a lively encounter.

"Forest will still try to play counter attack and try to nick the ball and get forward pretty quickly with Elanga and Hudson-Odoi.

"Chris Wood has found an amazing way of scoring goals, every time I think it may be one year too many for him, bang - he scores again."

Broad added: "If we get a point at St Mary's, then I'm happy."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest remain in talks with Arsenal over a £30m deal for striker Eddie Nketiah.

A deal has not been agreed but the 25-year-old is getting closer to ending his time at Emirates Stadium.

Forest have several striker targets, including Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez, but have progressed with a move for Nketiah.

Nketiah has spent his entire career at the Emirates apart from a half-season loan at Leeds in 2019-20.

He has scored 38 goals in 168 Arsenal appearances but made just 38 Premier League starts, having made his top-flight debut in 2018.

The forward was an unused substitute in Saturday's 2-0 win over Wolves on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Forest are also close to signing Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno on loan. The 31-year-old is behind new signing Ian Maatsen and Lucas Digne in the pecking order at Villa Park and will be allowed to leave.

In terms of outgoings the Reds are in talks with Championship side Burnley, who want to sign defender Joe Worrall.

Meanwhile, boss Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to provide an update on Danilo on Thursday, with the midfielder having seen specialists this week.

He suffered a broken ankle after six minutes of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest's loan move for Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno is progressing.

The 31-year-old is expected to head to the City Ground after falling down the pecking order under Villa boss Unai Emery. Ian Maatsen joined Villa for £37.5m from Chelsea earlier this summer, while Lucas Digne is also ahead of him.

The defender joined from Real Betis in 2023 and has made 48 appearances, scoring three goals, for Villa.

Meanwhile, Forest remain in talks with Burnley, who want to sign defender Joe Worrall. The centre-back has not played for Forest since January and spent the second half of last season on loan at Besiktas.

The Clarets could lose defender Dara O'Shea, who is wanted by Wolves and Brentford, and are looking to offer Worrall, who came through Forest's academy, a way out of the City Ground.

Arsenal are holding out for more than £30m for 25-year-old England striker Eddie Nketiah, after rejecting a £25m bid from Nottingham Forest. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column