CALDERWOOD PLAYS DOWN PEARSON LINK

Pearson - not on the way to Forest.

Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood denied speculation linking him with a move for Derby's Stephen Pearson after his side's 2-1 extra-time defeat to Sunderland on Wednesday night.

The newly-promoted Championship side gave a good account of themselves in the Carling Cup second round tie at the City Ground but were narrowly denied a place in Saturday's draw as David Healy bagged his first goal for Sunderland to give Roy Keane his first cup win as a manager.

Forest looked set to cause a cup upset when Robert Earnshaw found the net with a superb free-kick, taking his goal tally to four in five, but defender Phil Bardsley sent the game into extra time.

Healy's effort was nearly cancelled out by Luke Chambers' header which crashed back off the crossbar.

Afterwards, Calderwood denied he was set to swoop for the out-of-favour Pearson and revealed that he did not expect any arrivals before the close of the transfer window - which will limit their options to free transfers and loan deals.

He said: "We're just about done - we're eyeing one or two up but I don't think anything will come to fruition.

"By the time the next game comes after Burnley we'll be able to loan then, so the necessity is less than in the Premier League."

When asked whether he had any plans to dip into the loan market he said: "I think with the players returning we're going to give ourselves some added depth and that will keep the players on their toes."

On his side's performance, Calderwood added: "I'm pleased we have performed half decently on TV and given a decent account of ourselves, so that's quite pleasing and quite a positive sign, and our appetite was excellent."

Sunderland boss Roy Keane was quick to praise his former club's performance and felt they should have never let the tie go to the wire.

He said: "If we had not of won tonight then I would have said it was our own fault.

"I thought it was a cracking cup tie but I didn't think our football that was that great.

"I thought our general play was poor but I thought Forest were fantastic so they deserve credit."