There were mixed fortunes last week for two Irish players at Nottingham Forest, John Burns and Paul McGregor. Burns, a member of the Irish squad that finished third at the World Youth Championships in Malaysia last year, made his first appearance of the season for Forest when he came on as a substitute against Orient in the League Cup last Wednesday.

McGregor's days at the club, however, would appear to be numbered. He was placed on the transfer list by Dave Bassett during the summer and last week was loaned out to Division Three strugglers Carlisle, for whom he made his debut on Saturday - all this despite the chronic shortage of forwards at the club. McGregor's Irish connections enabled him to declare for the Republic last season. It was a happier week for Coventry's Ennis-born midfielder Willie Boland who finally saw some first team action against Southend in the Worthington Cup, while Republic of Ireland under-21 international Anthony Folan made his debut for Brentford against Spurs in the same competition, following his £100,000 move from Crystal Palace last week.

Grimsby midfielder Daryl Clare, another Irish under-21 player, had a week to remember, scoring the extra-time goal that knocked Sheffield United out of the Worthington Cup on Wednesday, and then scoring twice more when he came as a substitute on Saturday to give Grimsby a 2-2 draw against Port Vale.