Rovers look to Roy as Forest hopes dashed

Roy Keane’s hopes of becoming Nottingham Forest’s next manager were dashed last night as the City Ground club appointed Alex McLeish instead — yet Blackburn remains another alternative destination for the Corkman.

Having been spotted in the stands for his former club’s St Stephen’s Day 4-2 win over Leeds United, Keane had been the early frontrunner for the City Ground post following Sean O’Driscoll’s sacking just hours later.

However, in a whirlwind 24 hours, Forest moved to appoint McLeish after the Scot had earlier become odds-on favourite to replace O’Driscoll.