Billy Davies Favourite For A Return To Nottingham Forest

Billy Davies is a man in hot demand at the moment, with the Scot leading both the Nottingham Forest and Blackpool manager markets. At the start of the week he looked set to finally end his hiatus from the game and make his comeback at managerless Blackpool, however Alex McLeish's departure from Forest on Tuesday has thrown a spanner in the works with Davies installed as the leading candidate to return to the City Ground.

The Al Hasawi family only took over at Forest last summer but they are already seeking their fourth manager following the departures of Steve Cotterill, Sean O'Driscoll and now McLeish. The supporters are growing increasingly restless with the instability and ruthless nature of the Kuwaiti owners, which could damage their bid for promotion. The club, 11th in the Championship, are currently pushing for a play-off spot, with just six points separating them from 6th placed Middlesbrough.

Davies was rather harshly sacked by the previous owners back in June 2011 despite leading the club to back-to-back top six finishes. The 48-year-old, who is yet to return to the game, has remained a popular figure with many supporters and it is believed that many would welcome him back with open arms.

He is likely to face stiff competition in the Next Nottingham Forest Manager Odds from the likes of Swindon Town's Paolo Di Canio, former Southampton manager Nigel Adkins and surprisingly Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank.

Di Canio has worked wonders at Swindon since his arrival in May 2011 but has recently been locked in a dispute with the club's owners over finance. Meanwhile Adkins is believed to be keen for a return to the game but whether he would opt to step down a level is open to debate. Former Chelsea and Froest star Hasslebank is also in the mix, while chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi can be backed at 25/1 with Sky Bet!