Nottingham Forest 'eyeing' free agent as trio help inspire cup heroics

A trio of Nottingham Forest first-team players, as well as boss Steve Cooper, spoke to the Reds’ Under-18s before their FA Youth Cup semi-final.

Joe Worrall, Ryan Yates and Brennan Johnson addressed Warren Joyce’s side in the dressing room before their clash with Chelsea at the City Ground. And the academy graduates sat in the stands to watch as Forest came from behind to win 3-1 in a dramatic final 10 minutes.

James Garner and Scott McKenna also took in the game, as did Cooper. And it will be Garner’s parent club, Manchester United, who the Reds face in the final, at Old Trafford.

Read more, here.

Nottingham Forest have been linked with a summer move for Cardiff City goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

The 32-year-old will be a free agent this summer. And it is said he could be moved on at the end of his contract, despite being a regular for the Bluebirds.

WalesOnline report Smithies is one of the higher earners at the club. With a new financial structure set to be introduced after this campaign, the shot-stopper’s wages “may well exceed” that and lead to him heading out the exit door.

He is said to have “a number of admirers”. And the Reds are being credited with an interest.

Read more, here.

Detlef Esapa Osong struggled for words as he reflected on a "crazy" night at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest Under-18s came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 and reach the FA Youth Cup final for the first time in the club's history.

The victory sets up a tip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United for the first time in almost 25 years when even more club history will be at stake. A date has yet to be confirmed

Charlie Webster gave Chelsea the lead midway through the second half but, buoyed on by a vocal fanbase on the