Nottingham Forest are believed to have tabled a bid in the region of £1.5m for Doncaster Rovers' highly-rated defender Matthew Mills.

Forest boss Billy Davies has identified Mills as being a key figure in his City Ground revolution, with the former Preston boss eager to construct his defence around the highly-regarded centre back.

At just 22, Mills has blossomed into one of the best defenders outside the Premier League since joining Doncaster last summer. Indeed, his mature and authoritative dispalys at the Keepmoat Stadium have seen interest in the player intensify, with Birmingham City only yesterday linked with a combined £8m move for Mills and his Doncaster teammate Brain Stock.

The fact that Nottingham Forest have now reportedly shown their hand will undoubtedly force other clubs to do the same as the race to sign the ex-Man City player looks set to be a battle of nuitrition.