Football: Forest make Hoddle their top target

GLENN HODDLE is in talks with Nottingham Forest about a return to management.

The Midlands club, relegated from the Premiership last season, want to hire the former England coach, with John Gorman as his assistant, and make use of the pair's knowledge of the First Division gained from their time at Swindon Town. Yesterday Gorman left his post as coach at Ipswich Town in preparation for the move, which is scheduled to be announced next week.

If Hoddle joins Forest, Pierre van Hooijdonk is unlikely to be part of his squad. The City Ground club have accepted a pounds 3.5m bid from Vitesse Arnhem for the 29-year-old Dutch international striker. The Hearts and Scotland defender Paul Ritchie is being pursued by Forest, but they face competition from Rangers.

The future of Nicolas Anelka is still unclear. Arsenal yesterday lodged an official complaint with the Football Association and world football's governing body, Fifa, following allegations that Real Madrid have made an illegal approach for their French striker - who is also a target for Lazio.

The Italian club have tabled a bid reportedly worth pounds 22m.However, the deal has been thrown into doubt by reports that Anelka's brothers, who act as his agents, are trying to block a move to Rome. They claim that the French international wants to move to Spain instead and join Real Madrid.

Sporting Lisbon hope to conclude a deal with the Danish international goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel next week. The Portuguese club have offered the 35-year-old former Manchester United man a lucrative two-year contract, with the option of a third year to follow.

Ipswich are considering a cash-plus-players offer from Leeds United for their England Under-21 midfielder Kieron Dyer. The Scottish international midfield man David Hopkin has been linked with a move to Suffolk.

Eddie Newton's move to Fulham has broken down after he failed to agree personal terms. The Chelsea midfielder is leaving Stamford Bridge after his contract was not renewed. Birmingham City and the Italian club, Bari, have shown an interest in the 27-year-old.

Celtic have signed a pre-contract agreement with the Bulgarian international Stilian Petrov. The 19-year-old midfielder is due to move to Glasgow for around pounds 2m from CSKA Sofia, but Celtic have dropped plans to sign his compatriot Milen Petkov.

Mansfield Town have named Bill Dearden as their new manager. The former Port Vale coach and Sheffield United striker takes over from Steve Parkin, who resigned earlier this month and has taken charge at Rochdale.

Another Third Division side, Carlisle United, have named Keith Mincher as their first-team coach. He replaces the former director of football Nigel Pearson, who left the club last month, in charge of first-team affairs at Brunton Park.