Watson race hots up

Nottingham Forest are still in the hunt for Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson although Birmingham are favourites to land him.

Forest boss Colin Calderwood is known to be keen but Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is leading the race for his signature despite the fact he has played down all talk of a move and QPR have long been linked.

The Blues boss admits he is trying to sign new players but refused to be drawn on the rumours linking him with Watson.

"Yeah I am looking to do something before the start of the season and I am still working on one or two things and we hope to make an announcement to the Birmingham fans as soon as possible," McLeish told Sky Sports News.

"There is a few names, I don't want to say yes or say no to any name."

Palace boss Neil Warnock made it clear last week that he will not sell Watson on the cheap , he told the South London Press: "We've offered Ben the biggest contract at the club at the moment, but he and his agent have made it clear they won't sign.

"QPR and Birmingham have made good offers, but they are short of our valuation. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks."