Hughes planning summer changes

Hughes planning summer changes

Published Jan. 24, 2013 7:16 a.m. ET

Nottingham Forest are set to hold talks with Millwall striker Darius Henderson.

Henderson is expected in Nottingham on Thursday after being told he can leave the Reds' Championship rivals on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old, who has scored seven goals this season, is one of the higher earners at Millwall and is also out of contract in the summer.

Lions boss Kenny Jackett is keen to get Henderson off the books at The Den in order to free up funds for new players.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Henderson has been given permission to speak with Forest and this will happen on Thursday," Millwall director Peter Garston told South London Today.

"The decision to allow this to happen was purely Kenny Jackett's. He was under no pressure from the board and Kenny is in total charge of team matters.

"Henderson leaving will free up wages. Kenny has targets and will go for them when he is ready and get who he wants at the money he is willing to pay, but he won't rush into it."

Henderson has not scored for Millwall since the start of November - against Forest as the Lions won 4-1 at the City Ground - and he has been in and out of Jackett's side in recent months because of injury.

The 24-year-old left-back, who has made seven appearances for the U's since signing in September, put pen to paper on a new deal on Wednesday.

With Liam Davis out for up to a month with a hamstring injury, the former Bradford and Exeter defender will continue to provide cover for the left side of the U's defence.

"I'm really pleased to have signed," O'Brien told the club's official website. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Oxford. The fans are excellent and we have worked very hard as a team to get into a good position in the league.

"I am looking forward to playing a part and trying to carry that on. We have a tough game at Fleetwood on Saturday so right now I am totally focussed on helping the team get another three points."

The 24-year-old has received a late call-up after manager Giovanni Trapattoni agreed to FC Toronto's request for Darren O'Dea to be allowed to remain with them for their pre-season preparations.

Pearce has one senior cap to date, scoring on his debut in a 4-1 victory over Oman at Craven Cottage in September last year.

The 18-year-old, who had a loan spell at Colchester earlier this season, fell to the ground after jumping in a challenge with Gunners defender Bacary Sagna with 18 minutes left.

It appeared the youngster, on as a substitute, hit his head on the pitch, and was momentarily knocked out.

Potts received lengthy treatment from medical staff, eventually being taken from the field on a stretcher, in a neck brace, receiving gas and covered in an emergency blanket before being transferred to a nearby hospital for observation.

West Ham confirmed the defender would be receiving more attention to aid his recovery.

A statement on the club's official Twitter feed read: "West Ham United can confirm that Dan Potts will undergo scans and further assessment in hospital on Thursday.

"On behalf of Dan, the club would like to thank fans for all their messages of support for the defender and join them in wishing him well."

Boothroyd, currently manager at Northampton, steered Watford to a surprise promotion to the Barclays Premier League in 2006 and Holloway achieved similar success at unfancied Blackpool, who he guided to the top flight, also via the play-offs, in 2010.

"When Phil arrived at the club his first job was to make sure we stayed in the Football League," Lawn said. "He inherited the worst side I've seen at Valley Parade since I've been going in 1964 and I don't think he got the credit he deserved for keeping us up last season.

"Phil and assistant Steve Parkin have built on that. We gave him a good budget with the intention of competing for promotion and certainly with this run in the Capital One Cup the squad has gone beyond expectation.

"He's done things the right way. He's got a good backroom staff, not just his number two but all the way down to the lad who does the kit, they are all committed to the cause.

"Phil has galvanised them all and has built up a team, on and off the pitch, and that's the most important thing.

"Watford did that a few years back with Aidy Boothroyd and Ian Holloway did a similar thing at Blackpool. They don't build stars, they build a team and Phil has that same ability."

The Pools' boss inherited the current crop of players at Victoria Park when he replaced Neale Cooper in November and has been unable to bring in any new players due to help in the club's fight to avoid relegation.

"One or two might want to move on at the end of the season," Hughes said. "That's normal and I'll be able to put more of my own stamp on things.

"We have five players who are 35 and over in the squad and three of them are in the team. They've all got a part to play as it's important to have experienced players at a club.

"We've had a settled team for a few weeks now, but everybody has had an opportunity to show they want that shirt.

"The likes of (Andy) Monkhouse, (Paul) Murray and (James) Poole are training very hard and that allows you to create a no-one's-safe environment among the squad.

"If we can get all the players fighting hard for a place in the side every week, then that's healthy."

Hartlepool, 12 points from safety at the foot of the table, take on fellow strugglers Portsmouth on Saturday chasing only their second league win in 12 since Hughes took charge.

share