Forest boss plots McKenna replacements

BILLY Davies will today draw up a list of potential transfer targets to replace injured skipper Paul McKenna.

But the manager today appealed to fans to throw their weight behind every Nottingham Forest player, as he predicted that the club's fringe players have a key role to play in the promotion run-in.

Davies will provide the club's acquisitions panel with a number of recommendations for players he hopes could fill the void left by the medial knee ligament injury picked up by his influential midfielder.

But he also said that it will not only be the fans' favourites who will steer the Reds over the finishing line.

"It is not good for McKenna, it looks as if it is ligament damage. We could be looking at a serious amount of time. It could possibly be season-ending," said Davies.

"He has been a wonderful captain for us. But that is why you need a squad. We talk about the need to bring in faces at certain times because we know these things will happen.

"We need to bring in a replacement. Not only do we need to bring in a replacement for McKenna, but I still believe there are other gaps in the squad.

"I don't know what will happen. We will have to sit down and identify players we might be able to get and put it to the transfer acquisitions committee."

In the meantime, Davies says Luke Chambers, who netted the winning goal on Saturday, and Lewis McGugan – who provided the corner from which it was scored – as well as the rest of the club's fringe players need the support of fans, particularly when they are selected ahead of the terrace favourites.

"I want to emphasise this to our supporters, because this is important," said Davies. "We may have one or two sexy players at this club. But, the unsung heroes and the squad as a whole now demand the utmost respect and utmost support.

"We have to back the boys who have not been playing on a regular basis because now, in the final run of games, they will become huge players for this club. We have to be positive and supportive to all the players who pull on a red jersey.

"It is not the sexy players who are going to get us over the finishing line now. Every single player at this club has to be a fans' favourite now, because every one of them will play a part.

"All the boys who have had to sit and be patient – they are all huge players for us now. When they come in, they do not want to listen to the fans moaning about who is starting the match and who isn't.

"They want to be receiving great support."