Darren Ferguson currently manages Forest's rivals Peterborough PICTURE: Getty Images  

Ferguson early favourite for Forest manager job

Darren Ferguson and Mick McCarthy have emerged as strong early candidates to fill the vacant Nottingham Forest managerial position after the club’s new Kuwaiti owners, the Al-Hasawi family, sacked Steve Cotterill on Thursday.

By Thursday night Ferguson, the current manager of second-tier rivals Peterborough, was the 5-6 favourite while McCarthy was available at 4-1.

Former Forest midfield general Roy Keane is 12-1 to get the job.

Portsmouth’s chances of bouncing back from relegation to League One have been hit by the Football League’s decision to dock them ten points before the start of the season.

Pompey remain in administration and the league has told potential owners they must agree to certain conditions, including the deduction if the club are to take their place in the third tier. The news is a blow to the Pompey Supporters Trust which is involved in an ongoing bid to take control of the club.

The club’s unsustainable wage bill has been hampering PST’s bid, although the situation was alleviated slightly by Aaron Mokeona agreeing to the termination of his contract.

Rangers hopes of starting next season in Scottish Division One appear to be receding as clubs continue to come out against the proposal. Elgin City, Peterhead and Arbroath have all said they will vote against to add to the number of clubs who have indicated they will not support the Gers going into the second tier to 17.

Second Division Stenhousemuir are the only club to go public with their intention to vote in favour of Rangers being admitted to Scottish Division One.

Highly-rated attacking midfielder Nick Powell may have to be patient after joining Manchester United from League Two play-off winners Crewe this summer.

Powell is 8-13 to start less than two Premier League games this season and 7-1 to make England’s World Cup 2014 squad.