Curzon Ashton left-back Scott McManus has joined Crewe Alexandra instead of Nottingham Forest.

The 19-year-old had a trial at The City Ground but signed a two-year deal at Crewe yesterday and will fight for the left-back slot with Billy Jones.

McManus was part of the Curzon Ashton side that beat a youthful Forest side 2-1 last month which lead to the youngster’s trial.

He said: "I'm hoping that by coming here (Crewe) I can follow in the footsteps of all the other great players who have come from this club. It has a good history for producing players.

"I've just been to Nottingham Forest on trial as well, but I've signed for where I preferred to come. I have a better opportunity here I think, there is a better chance for me to progress with my career."

Crewe assistant manager Neil Baker said: "He hasn't got much experience, but he could be a good player. He has good talent and likes to attack. Nottingham Forest were keen on him."

McManus would have competed with last season’s player of the season Julian Bennett and youngster Joe Heath for the left-back berth had he signed for the Reds.

Robert Earnshaw has targeted promotion this season as he bids to put an end to his Derby County hell of finishing as the Premier League’s worst ever team last season.

The 27-year-old former Cardiff striker scored 85 goals for the Bluebirds to make his name in the game and returns to Wales this weekend when Forest play Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

It is fair to say he is not expecting a great reception from Swans fans.

He told Wales Online: “I would be more surprised if I didn't get any stick than if I did.

"It's one of those football things and it's fine by me. Whether it's plaudits or criticism, I tend not to hear either as I'm concentrating on the game and the next pattern of play.

"To be fair, I've played a couple of games for Wales at the Liberty Stadium and it seems fine, I think Welsh fans have come together a bit more these days than before and that can only be a good thing.

"But, obviously, I'm well aware of the derby connections and I have never faced Swansea before.

"I will go about my game plan as I always do and need to play well, not just for the national manager, but my club manager,

"My Forest boss has put a lot of confidence into my game over the summer period and I want to do well and make an impression right from the start.

" I can only impress my two managers by scoring goals and that is what I intend to do. Whether it's against Swansea or Cardiff, I need to start scoring sooner rather than in due course.

"I just sense I'm more part of what is happening at Forest, a view that was not there with the other clubs.

"I need to get off to a flyer and I'm sure we will be there or thereabouts when it comes to the promotion shake-up at the end of the season."

Young Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Shane Redmond has been called-up for the Republic of Ireland U21 squad.

The 19-year-old, who made his debut for his country at a tournament in Malaysia last year, is included in the squad to face Austria in Vienna next week.

Nottingham Forest have won their battle with Sheffield United and Birmingham City to sign Manchester United winger Lee Martin on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old made an impressive debut against Morecambe as the Reds hit four past the League Two side. 

Martin spent some time on loan with Sheffield United in the Championship last season and had a good pre-season as he scored the winner in Manchester United's 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates.

Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood is looking to bolster his frontline by bringing in a Premier League striker on loan.

The Reds boss is struggling with injuries to his forwards with Paul Anderson, Andrew Cole, Joe Garner and Nathan Tyson all on the sidelines.

He told the Nottingham Evening Post: "We are trying to bring a striker in on loan to give us added firepower in the short term,

"There is no secret in that, we will continue to work on that today. Whether the club concerned will allow their player to play in the Carling Cup is a different matter. That is a situation we will have to look at.

"But it would be unwise to continue as we are, with no prospect of the other boys returning before the international break. By the time they have a week's training and maybe a reserve game we will be looking at the end of the month."

Forest have been linked with former fans favourite and current Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood. He was in the stands during Forest's opening fixture against Reading last Sunday.

Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw has been called-up for John Toshack's Wales squad.

The 27-year-old hasn't appeared for his country since Wales' 0-0 draw against Germany last November.

He will also be joined by team-mate Arron Davies for the friendly match against Georgia on Wednesday 20 August.

After a promising start to life in the Championship, Forest made the trip to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday knowing they would have to improve drastically on the performance produced in the corresponding fixture a year ago to have any chance of reward against the League One Champions.

With attacking options again at a premium, new boy Lee Martin came in for a league debut replacing Arron Davies in the only change from last Sunday’s goal less draw against Reading.

As expected Swansea flew out of the traps looking to make up for last weeks disappointment of a 2-0 defeat at Charlton as Forest struggled to get out of their own half in the early stages. The Swans were looking particularly dangerous down both flanks with Chambers and Bennett being given a torrid time by Tom Butler and Leon Britton.

Having completely dominated the early part of the game the inevitable opening goal followed on 9 minutes when, after another mazy run from Leon Britton, the Swans man sent a sizzling shot against the post before the ball bounced back somewhat cruelly off Smith and into the net to give the home side a fortunate albeit deserved lead.

The Swans continued to push with Forest looking ragged in all departments. Only a couple of decent saves from Smith kept the score down as Forest time after time gave away possession in their own half.

With certain sections of the away support already on their teams back, Forest showed great character towards the end of the first half and despite having been second best for much of the period, a bit of magic from loan star Martin saw the Man Utd man cross from the right for Perch to stretch out a leg and steer into an empty net.

Having perhaps been somewhat lucky to go into the interval on level terms, Forest started the 2^nd half as Swansea had the first in making the early running. Earnshaw missed a great chance to open his league account for the club when blasting wide from close range after Swansea has failed to clear a free kick from the left.

This miss was to prove costly as with around 20 minutes left and the game seemingly heading for yet another Liberty Stadium stalemate, Swansea were awarded a penalty when Butler was tripped (much to the derision of Calderwood) by one of 3 or 4 Forest defenders chasing him. Although Ferrie Bodde’s spot kick was initially saved by Smith, the Swans midfielder easily stroked home the rebound with the Reds keeper again helpless on the floor.

With time beginning to run out, boss Calderwood rung the changes although the decision to take Cohen off was a surprise with the ex-Yeovil man looking as likely as anyone to forge a hole in the Swansea rearguard. Martin saw another mazy run and dribble end with a superb save by De Vries with the ball seemingly heading for the corner of the net.

A swift counter attack lead by Mark Gower saw the ex-Southend man cross for Spanish substitute Pintado to brilliantly flick into the far corner to finish the game as contest with Forest caught short in pushing forward for an illusive equaliser.

Despite a disappointing result Reds fans have cause for hope but away form is bound to be a worry with tough trips to come. Wolves away in 2 weeks time will be one hell of a test.

MOTM: Smith - Kept the score down in the first half. Unlucky with the first goal and penalty save. No chance with the 3rd.

(4-3-3) Smith, Chambers, Wilson, Morgan, Bennett, Perch, McGugan, Cohen (McCleary 80), Moussi (Newbold 87), Martin, Earnshaw.
Subs Not Used: Roberts, Breckin, Thornhill.

Booked: Moussi, Bennett.

Goals: Perch 35.

Att: 16,611

Referee: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).

Nottingham Forest breezed into the second round of the Carling Cup after a 4-0 win over League Two side Morecambe.

Morecambe, who knocked out higher opposition in Preston and Wolves last season, never really threatened in a game where the Reds dominated possession.

Robert Earnshaw had the first chance of the night when the ball was swung in from the right hand side but his overhead kick wasn’t up to scratch and rebounded off his knee and over the bar. The former Baggies striker also tried his luck from a free kick on the edge of the box only to hit the wall with a poor low kick.

Arron Davies went closer when his flick-on from a Luke Chambers cross beat former Reds goalkeeper Barry Roche only to rebound back off the post and away to safety. Mitchell was understandably distraught as he had £1 on the Welshman to score first.

Davies picked up a knock shortly after which looked like a calf injury and was substituted for Garath McCleary.

Forest took the lead under debatable circumstances. Another free-kick on the edge of the box, this time on the right hand side, was taken quickly by new loan signing Lee Martin only to be pulled back by the referee as he had not blown his whistle.

Martin was booked for his misdemeanor and the resulting kick taken by Chris Cohen sailed past Roche to make it 1-0. Luke Chambers tried to claim he got a touch to the free-kick but to no avail and therefore upset Trigger who had £1 on him to score the first goal at 28/1.

Forest continued to press and should have made it two when Lee Martin’s cross found Earnshaw once more only for him to miss the target from 18 yards out.

Morecambe rarely threatened Smith and their one main effort came but was blazed wide and over the crossbar.

They came out in the second half however in a much better frame of mind. The first ten minutes belonged to the team more famous for Eric than their actual club. This didn’t obviously stop the travelling support singing the now infamous ‘you’re not famous anymore’ chant.

Their striker Howe, who looked like Chris Kamara, put a great ball into the area and James Perch had to be on his guard to clear the danger as they searched for an equaliser.

The next goal would be crucial and thankfully Forest grabbed it. Chris Cohen fed the ball through to Robert Earnshaw and he made no mistake by prodding the ball past Roche before his trademark ‘flip’ in front of the Main Stand.

The third came courtesy of youngster Adam Newbold who has impressed recently in the reserves. He followed up his penalty against Manchester City in the Pontins Playoff Final by scoring on his debut for the first team.

Cohen again squared the ball to Newbold who took a touch before placing the ball into the corner and making it 3-0.

The icing on the cake came from Earnshaw when Cohen again fed the pacey striker and he placed the ball past the on-running Roche to grab his second of the match and Forest’s fourth.

The Sky Sports draw after the game saw the Reds set-up a repeat of their pre-season friendly as they drew Roy Keane’s Sunderland at home.

MOTM: Chris Cohen – scored the first goal, ran his heart out, covered loads of ground and contributed three assists to the cause.

(4-3-3) Smith, Chambers (Thornhill 68), Morgan, Breckin, Heath, Cohen, Moussi, Perch (Newbold 76), Davies (McCleary 18), Earnshaw, Martin

Subs not used: Roberts, Bennett, Reid, Sinclair