Town skipper Luke Chambers’s surprise return to his former club Nottingham Forest could take place before this evening’s 11pm deadline, TWTD understands.

News that Forest were making a shock move for their ex-skipper broke earlier this morning but with the Blues understood to be unwilling to allow their captain to move on.

However, we understand the 31-year-old is far from averse to a return to his old side, which he left for Portman Road on a Bosman in the summer of 2012, and discussions between the clubs are ongoing.

At a press conference a fortnight ago, the Kettering-born defender admitted his frustration that no new contract had been offered by Town with only six months remaining on his current deal, although the Blues have an option to keep him at Portman Road for another year.

Town are likely to want a not insignificant fee for Chambers, who manager Mick McCarthy would be loath to lose, recently describing him as “important to me as captain”, following previous reports of interest from Wolves.

Chambers joined Forest from Northampton in January 2007 and made 209 starts and 20 sub appearances, scoring 21 times, before moving on to the Blues.

Speaking after joining Town, Chambers said he had good memories of his time at the City Ground but admitted he wasn’t popular with supporters towards the end of his time there, largely due to comments which he felt were misinterpreted as “hammer[ing] the fans”.

Forest are currently without a manager, the latest incumbent Philippe Montanier having been sacked earlier this month. Academy manager Gary Brazil is currently the boss on an interim basis.

Town are understood to be working on a number of potential deals ahead of tonight’s deadline with McCarthy still searching for a striker to replace Daryl Murphy who departed for Newcastle towards the end of the summer window with the Blues boss appearing to have given up on persuading Preston to part with Jordan Hugill having had a £2 million bid rebuffed last week.

Photo: TWTD

Facefacts added 14:01 - Jan 31 We are at the City Ground on the last day of the season, I hope Luke doesn't send us down.
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bluesman added 14:01 - Jan 31 If we sell Chambers we will be relegated. Simple as
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Taricco_Fan added 14:22 - Jan 31 FFS, don't let this happen!
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marco007 added 14:27 - Jan 31 Any taker for Knudsen?? Buy one get one free please :)
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stringtheory added 14:37 - Jan 31 Oh the hypocrisy - I can hardly breathe! Sounds like the posters now regard Chambers as one of our best players!
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Dissboyitfc added 14:46 - Jan 31 Dont know about our club anymore, dont blame him if he leaves, the way the club are treating him over his future is not good enough. Although 100% committed on and off the pitch, he got lots of stick because MM played him out of position. An awful RB but a decent CB, i doubt Forest are wanting him as a full back. If Luke leaves i wish him Luck, needs to do what is right for the end of his career and of course his family.

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battyblue added 15:19 - Jan 31 Just shows what McCarthy knows when he quoted no way is my captain leaving just lets hope mick is the next one......cant wonder that Luke wants to leave played out of position for nearly three years where he was never going to be his best good luck if it goes through you deserve better than you have had here.
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Seasider added 15:33 - Jan 31 And just as he was settling back into his favoured centre back position! Midas Touch.Agree, for as I mentioned the other day,our amortisation of £0.2m is 2nd lowest in the league,with only Rotherham lower;and look where they are. enlaw-Dont think ffp being used much now by ITFC as the parameters have been relaxed so you can now overspend by £13m pa,or £39m over a 3 yr period without sanction. Still not sure of Evans motives with this club;but I am sure that this glorified ticket tout has pound signs flashing before his eyes when a club rarely comes in for one of his players. Not sure if a good thing or bad.Paul DIGBY hasn't looked too bad on the rare appearance I have seen;but still feel it is a risk.Fortunately I cant influence this so just wait. Must say though it is a change to have some action at the end of a window!

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itfcgene added 16:04 - Jan 31 Don't sell anyone. Money won't be reinvested.
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Tractastic added 16:05 - Jan 31 I like Chambers , he's the only natural leader we have and its hardly his fault MM chooses to play him at right back where his pace is exposed. Surely with all the injuries to our defence now is the time to play him in his favoured CB role. Letting him go would make no sense but as many posters have already commented...welcome to our club.
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phillo added 16:05 - Jan 31 Absolute shambles if this happens - showed massive loyalty & commitment to Mick and the club by playing out of position for 2 or so years and is rewarded by no one speaking to him about a new contract at a time when we desperately need CB cover !!!! What is Mick doing ??!?!!! (& if anyone says it's not Micks fault but Marcus Evans please remember Mick is the manager, he makes the decisions on where people play & who he wants to sign/keep ... its Evans who sorts the deals/offers out ..... and clearly Mick hasn't asked for Chambo to be sorted)

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Kikapu added 16:18 - Jan 31 phillo you forget that Chambers might put in a transfer request - like Murphy. I'm certain the club (MM and Evans) don't want him to leave, not at this late stage.
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SheptonMalletBlue added 16:28 - Jan 31 Forest need a new manager, lets hope McCarthy goes with Chambers!!!!!
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phillo added 16:34 - Jan 31 I wouldn't blame him kikapu would you ? If they don't want him to leave offer him a new contract !!
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RoyalAscotBlue added 16:49 - Jan 31 Chambers is sick of it here, constantly played out of position to the point where the fans have turned on him. Chambers wants a 3 year deal, and we're only suggesting to take up the extension to his current deal. Chambers doesn't want to play RB and that's the only place he will play if Taylor stays fit. If he wants out then there is absolutely no point in forcing him to stay. McCarthy won't want to lose him from the squad, but from the team who knows? Taylor is a better player, if he's fit. And Taylor could even wear the armband too. Is Chambers going to be in the starting 11 next season? And if not then a new captain is required. How do you keep a player on board after you strip him of the armband and sit him on the bench, as cover, to see out his contract? If there is 250,000+in the offer then we will do the deal, as it suits all parties. Digby will play tonight and Taylor thereafter, until next season when Webster is back.

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blueboy1981 added 17:01 - Jan 31 SheptonMalletBlue ......... I think Forest have made nearly as many managerial mistakes as Evans has - I am sure they wouldn't be keep to add to there tally of such.
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blueboy1981 added 17:06 - Jan 31 stringtheory ..... apologies for making you up - certainly not intended.
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Spanishblueblood added 17:13 - Jan 31 I see the budgies have signed Wildschut from Wigan, seem to recall him tearing chambers a new hole! Great signing imo!
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itfcbam added 17:24 - Jan 31 'Mccarthy would be loath to sell' that says the decision is more in the hands of ME or more likely the player. Given the harsh abuse he has had from some quarters could you blame him?
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Kikapu added 17:25 - Jan 31 phillo, you can be sure MM will back him for a contract and as his captain. It'll be the folks in the back office who will be saying, 'what's the problem - he's got 18 months left'. I doubt that his poor treatment by supporters of late will have helped his feelings for PR. One of the reasons why he left Forest last time. I think (hope) he'll be persuaded to stay.
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therein61 added 17:25 - Jan 31 If you go Luke then good luck to you and wish you and your family the best in the future(after all the uncertainty re your contract you have to do the best for them) I like many others have given you stick for your performance at right back(not your choice) when you are most comfortable in the middle which recent games have shown, your wholehearted effort in a blue shirt I have admired even though you have been hung out to dry by an idiot manager!!!!

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blueboy1981 added 17:28 - Jan 31 .......... not a Canary from Carrot Road, and never will be - BUT - they are running their Club the way I wish we were running ours. Never seem to have a problem tempting or buying players - I WONDER WHY ..... ??? Like it, or not - streets ahead of us in EVERY way - UNFORTUNATELY. But credit where due.
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Jimmy86 added 17:31 - Jan 31 For me, if this happens then this will rival the ludicrous decision of Jewell to get rid of Delaney on a free with no replacement lined up, for him to then join palace and play regularly in the prem. Chambo is still a decent player at this level. He is not a RB and has said as much on numerous occasions. Mick knows he is not a RB, but has continued to play him there. Feel sorry for Chambo and don't know why the club have left it so late to offer him new terms, unless either party don't want it,

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therein61 added 17:33 - Jan 31 Battyblue Mick knows eff all that's why we are in the position we are in he's a total failure playing people out of position and trying to keep 0-0 before the game starts!!.
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therein61 added 17:39 - Jan 31 My Aunties Labradors second cousin has just seen Luke at the County Ground
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