PREMIERSHIP basement boys Nottingham Forest are the latest club to be linked with Oxford United hot-shot Dean Windass.

The red-hot striker who just can't stop scoring - he netted both goals in United's 2-0 win over Swindon on Saturday - is said to be at the top of Ron Atkinson's wanted list at the City Ground.

However, it is thought that former Manor favourite Big Ron may have to off-load one his players first.

Leicester City were rumoured to be sizing up Windass earlier this season and Division 1 Huddersfield have already had a £750,000 bid turned down.

It is thought Forest will have to go to £1m if they are to get their man.

Former Hull and Aberdeen striker Windass had made no secret of the fact that he would like to play in the Premiership, although his stay in the top flight could be a short one if he joins struggling Forest.

Windass is reported as saying: "My agent has told me that Big Ron at Forest is still very interested and will make another move for me as soon as he can sell a player. "Forest are a great club and Ron Atkinson is a great manager. It looks as though I will have to sit tight for a while.

"But I would be happy to do that if it works out in the end. Chances like this don't come along very often."

The 29-year-old, who has netted 18 times this season, added: "As far as I am concerned the club has not said to me that I cannot go. The manager told me that I can go to a Premier club if the price is right, but that he was not that keen to sell me to another club in Division 1."

Windass moved to the Manor from Aberdeen in the summer and they are still awaiting part of the £450,000 fee.

Story date: Wednesday 17 February

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