JOHNSON’S SPARK GIVES FOREST FIRE

NOTTINGHAM FOREST hope to keep star performer Brennan Johnson but want £15million if forced to sell.

Brentford failed with three bids for the 20-year-old, who opened the scoring against Blackpool and was at the centre of another good Forest display, with Leicester and Leeds also keeping tabs.

His deal is up next summer and no agreement has been reached for a youngster who has been at the club since he was eight.

Forest look to sell one player a season to stay within financial fair play rules and it is believed they want a £15m release clause in any new contract.

Cost cutting has already seen club legend Frank Clark axed as ambassador.

Johnson (above), the son of former Forest and Ipswich striker David, scored the first after a terrific move, and manager Steve Cooper is impressed by a player who went on loan to Lincoln last season.

Cooper, who is unbeaten in his first four games in charge of Forest, said: “Johnson is exciting isn’t he?

“He got in twice early in the second half, maybe could have done better, but that’s me pushing and challenging him because he knows what I think of him.

“Johnson is an important player. We need to look after him, support him, and keep his development going.”

Blackpool equalised through Jerry Yates but Lewis Grabban, with his fifth goal in seven outings, scored the winner.

Cooper has quickly turned Forest into an effective counterattacking team good to watch.

Midfielder Jack Colback said: “Chris Hughton achieved a lot in the game and you don’t do that from being a bad manager, but the new gaffer has a different way of playing more suited to us.

“Brennan Johnson has been top drawer. I saw a few glimpses of him the season before, but he has gone out on loan and come back like a man.”