NOTTINGHAM FOREST are expected to let Stephen McLaughlin leave the club – with Southend United leading the chase for the former Finn Harps winger.
Dougie Freedman, the Forest manager, said there are other clubs chasing the signature of the Isle of Doagh, Ballyliffin, native (pictured above).Â
Sky Bet Championship outfit Forest are aiming to bring 22-year-old Spanish full-back Daniel Pinillos back to the City Ground ahead of Saturday’s final pre-season outing against Aston Villa.
McLaughlin, whilst on loan, helped Southend to promotion in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs last season. He scored in the 3-1 second leg win over Stevenage FC in the semi-final, which sealed a final place at Wembley Stadium following a 4-2 aggregate success.
In the final, Southend overcame Wycome Wanderers on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
“Stephen McLaughlin is a good member of the group, because he wants to play football,” Freedman said this week. “That is what he wants. If I cannot allow him to play football here, then it is only right to let him go. Southend are not the only club involved, there are others as well.
“It is only fair for me to let Stephen know, next week, what my thoughts are. I will do that.”
Twenty-four-year-old McLaughlin has also spent time on loan at Bristol City. Having made a name for himself initially in the Inishowen League with Clonmany Shamrocks, he played 48 times for Finn Harps in 2009 and 2010 before spending two seasons at Derry City, where he won the FAI Cup in 2012. In January 2013 McLaughlin signed for Forest.
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