91Èȱ¬

Nottingham Forest are closing in on deals to sign Derry City duo Stephen McLaughlin and Barry McNamee.

Winger McLaughlin, 22, and midfielder McNamee, 20, have both impressed during trials with the Championship club.

Forest manager Sean O'Driscoll told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Nottingham: "I think the fee has been arranged with Derry.

"There are just one or two agency 'mishaps' that we need to clear up, but there's nobody trying to stop the deal going through."

Both players were part of the Derry team that won this year's FAI Cup.

McLaughlin told the Londonderry Sentinel: "It has been a long couple of weeks, not knowing what was going to happen, but hopefully now everything will be sorted out.

"If I get the opportunity to sign for Forest then yes I'll be over the moon - who wouldn't be delighted?

"I enjoyed my time with Forest. It would be a massive step up from League of Ireland, because there are better players, better facilities and better training."