COTT RAID ON OLD CLUB NOT LUKE-ING GOOD

STEVE COTTERILL is fuming after his bid to raid old club Portsmouth for Luke Varney collapsed.

Nottingham Forest boss Cotterill was keen to sign 29-year-old striker Varney on loan before last night’s clash at Leeds.

But crisis club Pompey wanted a guaranteed sale at the end of the season – and cash-strapped Forest refused to take the risk as they could still be relegated.

Cotterill said: “It is a bit disappointing that it took a week to get an answer.

“At this moment in time, Luke is staying at Portsmouth.

“I don’t know if it is because they have enough money to see them through to the end of the season now, because I have not been party to those conversations.”