Eaden Earmarked

Dario Gradi has earmarked Nottingham Forest right back Nicky Eaden as a replacement for Jon Otsemobor, should Otsemobor fail to agree a new contract with the club. Despite having a year left to run on his 18-month contract, Dario is wary of the possibility of Otsemobor leaving the club on a free in one year’s time. The 23-year old has been subject of interest from Hull and QPR, forcing Dario into contract talks with the defender. Despite Semmy stating that he is happy to stay, Dario has wasted no time in pinpointing a potential replacement for the attacking full back. 34-year old Eaden has struggled to make an impact at Nottingham Forest either under Gary Megson or under the current caretaker management team, who have yet to include him in a single matchday squad. A fee of £100k has been mooted, though should a new boss decide that Eaden is not part of his plans, a smaller fee may be agreeable as Forest look to rid him from their wage bill. Although only 5’8, the defender has been promoted with every club he has played for apart from Nottingham Forest – Barnsley, Birmingham and Wigan. Eaden battled with ex-Crewe full back David Wright for the full back position at Wigan in the 2004/05 season.