Rivals pull plug on swoop

Nottingham Forest have ended their interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson because they could not meet his wage demands.

Forest boss Colin Calderwood was prepared to meet Palace's £2million asking price but was unwilling to break the club's wage structure to land the player and has decided to end his interest.

Birmingham have also been showing a keen interest in the talented midfielder but it looks almost certain he will kick-off the new season in a Palace shirt.

There is still time for a move to go through before the transfer window closes on August 31, but for now Watson appears to be staying put.