Nottingham Forest have entered the race, alongside Championship rivals Rotherham United, to try and sign free agent striker Anthony Stokes (HITC Sport). The 27-year-old Irishman is available on a free after he was released by Scottish giants Celtic this summer after six years with the club.
Last season, Stokes was celebrating after Hibernian, where he was on loan, lifted the Scottish Cup title after defeating Rangers in the final at Hampden Park. Hibs were managed by Alan Stubbs, who has since left to take the job at Rotherham.
Several clubs have been linked to the former Arsenal and Sunderland forward, but it remains to be seen how creditable those links are. Today, Huddersfield Town are one club who are not believed to be in the running to sign the nine-cap Republic of Ireland international (Examiner).
Stubbs is understandably keen to bring him to Rotherham and make him one of his first signings at the New York Stadium. With Nottingham Forest not even appointing a new manager for next season yet, perhaps Rotherham have the advantage at this moment in time.
Nevertheless, whoever he signs for will be signing a player that is a proven goalscorer. During his time at Celtic he fired in over 50 goals, winning four Scottish Premiership titles in the process. New manager Brendan Rodgers decided against offering him a new deal at Celtic Park.
In his relatively brief loan spell at Hibs last season he still managed to score nine goals as the club also reached the Scottish Championship Play-Offs. Prior to joining Celtic in 2010 he enjoyed a fine permanent stint with Hibernian. Looking at his career to date, there is no doubting that he has played his best football in Scotland but will feel he has unfinished business in the English game and shall be hoping to prove a point at some stage.
