Trio Set To Leave Town?

By: Stephen Bateman
Date: 20/01/2001

Lennie Lawrence faces the prospect of having some of his hottest talent stolen away from him this summer as reports emerge of a number of clubs expressing an interest in players such as goalkeeper Danny Coyne and midfield maestro Wayne Burnett.

Nottm Forest boss David Platt is reported by the Grimsby Evening Telegraph to be keen on securing the services of Coyne as a long-term replacement for current goalkeeping incumbent Dave Beasant. The Welshman is currently under contract with the Mariners until the end of next year and while Lawrence is expected to tell Forest that Coyne is unavailable, it is believed that Forest are willing to make a bid reported to be around the £1m mark.

Platt has also expressed an interest in both Burnett and young defender Danny Butterfield. Other clubs that have been tracking the 21-year old's progress include Premiership outfits Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.

Boro' first expressed an interest in Butterfield last season and sent a scout to observe his performance against Crewe last Saturday. The Boston born full-back, who will be out of contract in the summer, was also watched by Newcastle Chief Scout Charlie Woods against Wycombe on Tuesday night.

Although the Mariners crashed 3-1 to the second division outfit, it is understood that Woods filed a very positive report back to Magpies boss Bobby Robson.

It is understood that in spite of Lawrence's assurance earlier in the week that he had suspended all contract negotiations, he will be attempting to pre-empt any transfer activity involving Butterfield by offering him a new contract next week.

Burnett has been watched regularly by Forest Chief Scout Ian Storey-Moore, and with the player currently tied to the club only on a month-to-month basis, it is possible that any offer of a full-time contract may tempt the former-Huddersfield man away from Blundell Park.

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