Forest target Davies to replace sacked Calderwood

BILLY Davies is Nottingham Forest's number one choice to replace Colin Calderwood, the Evening Post understands.

The club are hoping to make an appointment in the next 24 hours, before the trip to relegation rivals Norwich.

And, while Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley and Adrian Boothroyd remain potential candidates for the role, it is former Derby manager Davies who tops the club's list.

It is understood Davies was initially approached more than a month ago, when the pressure began to build on Calderwood as Forest struggled to acclimatise to life in the Championship.

And, now the axe has fallen on the Scot, following last night's dour 4-2 home defeat at the hands of struggling Doncaster, Forest are likely to pursue fresh talks with the man who steered the Rams into the Premiership.

Former Reading, West Ham and Charlton boss Pardew is also in the running however, along with Boothroyd, who guided Watford into the top flight, and Curbishly, who had long periods of success with Charlton.

Calderwood was sacked following a run of only four wins in 25 matches.

Chief executive Mark Arthur said: "We are grateful to Colin for leading us to promotion from League One. But we are in a results business and it is imperative that the club stays in the Championship. We need to give ourselves an opportunity to do that."