Northampton Town have given Nottingham Forest permission to speak to their manager Colin Calderwood regarding the management vacancy at the City Ground. Calderwood was interviewed by Town last week and is understood to be on the shortlist.

Cobblers chairman David Cardoza said: “Over the weekend we were approached through the official channels by Nottingham Forest, asking for permission to speak to Colin.

“I can confirm that Colin has been given permission to talk to them and he is flying back from his family holiday to see what they have to say.

“As we have said with Ipswich Town, I expect the matter to be resolved very quickly as our planning for next season is of paramount importance.

Meanwhile, Billy Davies's relationship with Preston appears to be breaking down after the Scot was refused permission to talk to Derby County about the position of boss at Pride Park.

Davies, who topped Town's initial wishlist, has previously spoken with Charlton and is displeased that he was prevented from meeting with the Rams: "I am not happy at all with the chairman deciding which clubs I can and can't speak to.

"I think that is unacceptable and I have asked my legal advisors to look into the situation."

Preston chairman Derek Shaw sees things differently: "We are contractually obliged for Billy to speak to Premiership clubs and Charlton Athletic are a Premier League club and we felt it was wrong to stand in his way in that instance.

"In Billy's own words, Billy Davies would not leave Preston North End unless it was right for him and the Preston North End board. We do not feel it is right to lose our manager to a Championship club.

"At the end of the day I am here to protect the interests of Preston North End Football Club and to be seen to step aside and allow our manager join one of our Championship rivals I feel would be wrong.

"In all our discussions with Billy in the past over contracts, they have gone through his advisors. I have not spoken to Billy's advisors since Friday.

"If the stance now is that they want to take legal action then that will be down to the lawyers and not me.

"I am acting on behalf of Preston North End Football Club to do what I feel is right for the club and its supporters and I do not feel it is right to let our manager go to a club in our division. If legal action does follow it will be dealt with by our lawyers."

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