Football news

Nottingham Forest appointed former Derby County boss Billy Davies as their new manager yesterday, with a three-year contract until 2012.

The former European champions, now languishing one place above the relegation zone in the Championship (second division), said on their website (www.nottinghamforest.co.uk) that Davies would officially start his new job on Monday.

Davies, 44, has been out of work since leaving Derby in November 2007 and takes over from Colin Calderwood who was sacked before Christmas.

No Real deal says United's Ronaldo

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has once again dismissed continued speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Having failed to sign the 23-year-old during a dragging summer transfer saga, Real are reportedly still confident of getting their top transfer target in the near future.

Real director Pedro Trapote was quoted in December claiming that his club have a deal in place to sign the Ballon D'Or winner at the end of this season.

Ronaldo told United's website: "There's always speculation, not just about me, but about the future of players all around the world. What people are saying now (the recent speculation about an agreement with Real Madrid) is not true.

"Who says that is a liar because I am happy at the club, I want to stay here. I feel at home here."

Bosnia's Stilic pushes for Celtic move

Bosnia international Semir Stilic has appealed to Lech Poznan to allow him to join Celtic in this month's transfer window.

The Scottish champions have reportedly made a £2.5m bid for the 21-year-old midfielder who is also attracting interest from Spanish outfit Espanyol.

"I want to leave Lech Poznan. It is an honour for me that a great club like Celtic are interested," Stilic was quoted as saying.

"I know Lech appreciate me and want me to stay. But, if Lech agree, I would like to move club now."

United starlet set for Plymouth loan

Plymouth Argyle are very close to signing Manchester United defender David Gray on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old is captain of United's reserves and has also been capped by Scotland at Under-21 level.

Gray, who has spent time on loan at Crewe, should be eligible for Argyle's FA Cup third round tie with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

He began his career as a winger but has played mainly as a full-back since joining Manchester United in 2004.

Toure's transfer request rejected

Arsenal will not accept a transfer request from defender Kolo Toure, club chairman Peter Hill-Wood said yesterday.

The centre-back has not been an automatic choice in the Arsenal team this season and Manchester City are thought to be pondering a bid for his services.

Hill-Wood is aware the £10 million-rated Ivory Coast international has indicated he wants to leave, but insisted the Gunners are not looking to sell.

"I know about it (the transfer request)," Hill-Wood said. "But we are not going to accept it. We are not looking to let any of our players go and he is under contract - and we expect him to honour it."

Prandelli tipped to succeed Lippi

Giancarlo Abete, the president of the Italian football federation (FIGC), sees Cesare Prandelli as the ideal candidate to take over once Marcello Lippi quits Italy.

"I care too much about Fiorentina and the Della Valle family to take Prandelli away from them," Abete said with a smile.

"All joking aside, right now we have Lippi who can lead us to some marvellous achievements. Who knows if one day Prandelli could be a candidate for the Nazionale bench. He certainly has every quality needed to fit the bill."

The former Parma boss is considered as one of the brightest coaches in Italy thanks to his ability in transforming relatively under-funded teams into competitive outfits.

Flachi can't wait to resume career

Disgraced former Sampdoria striker Francesco Flachi can't wait to get back on a football pitch as his two-year drugs ban approaches its end.

"I'd just love my return to be a winning one, above all to stop people saying I bring bad luck," Flachi was quoted as saying.

"Ideally we would win 2-1 with my goal at the last minute."

Flachi, who last summer signed for Empoli, was one of Serie A's most consistent scorers a few seasons ago with 107 goals for Sampdoria, but bad habits off the field derailed his career.

He tested positive for cocaine after a home game against Inter on Jan. 28, 2007 and was given a 16-month ban which was extended to 24 months on the Disciplinary Commission's appeal.