'Rested' Reid heading to Spurs?

Nottingham Forest manager Joe Kinnear was adamant Andy Reid's absence from the 2-0 victory against Scunthorpe in the first round of the Carling Cup was not the first act of his City Ground swansong.

Reid's name has been linked to a number of Barclays Premiership sides as the transfer window begins to draw to a close, but Kinnear insists the prospect of his chief asset becoming cup-tied played no part in his decision.

Without Reid, Forest made hard work of the League Two leaders but eventually progressed thanks to goals from Gareth Taylor and Marlon King.

"Andy has been away with Ireland and needed a rest - nothing more than that," said Kinnear.

"People will write rubbish about him being cup-tied and there is nothing you can do about that - they are morons.

"I told Reidy last week that he was not going to play so there was nothing mysterious about it.

"The situation has not changed. Until we get £5m he is still a Nottingham Forest player."

Tottenham have had several previous bids rejected and have made fresh inquiries but still seem reluctant to match Nottingham Forest's valuation for the player.