Batty No Go

By Paul Holland
February 14 2003

Nottingham Forest have denied rumours that they are chasing the signature of Leeds United midfielder David Batty.

The former England International has found himself frozen out of the Elland Road club ever since Terry Venables took over last Summer.

The 34-year-old has been linked with a move to Forest but the City Ground manager (Paul Hart) has insisted that he has no plans to bolster his squad as they push for promotion via the Play-Offs.

A Forest spokesman said: "There's no truth whatsoever in the reports linking us with David Batty. He's not a player who has ever figured on our wanted list."

Batty returned to action this week for Leeds United reserves as they played Sheffield Wednesday in a 0-0 draw but is uncertain about is future as he believes he will never play for Whites again.

Meanwhile Forest signed former Leeds striker Darren Huckerby from Manchester City on loan until the end of the season.