NOTTINGHAM Forest boss David Platt is weighing up a move for Blackburn Rovers young striker James Thomas to try to solve his struggling side's scoring problems.

Welsh under-21 striker Thomas was watched personally by Platt in action for Rovers Reserves last night when he scored two goals against Aston Villa and could easily have had a hat-trick.

And, although Forest have yet to make an approach to Ewood, Rovers would probably be prepared to allow 21-year-old Thomas to go out on loan.

Chief executive John Williams said: "We have not had any inquiries so far but, obviously, we would be prepared to consider a loan unless James was involved in the manager's first team plans."

Forest recently reported a major half-yearly loss and money may be tight at the City Ground at the moment.

Thomas has been out on loan before, playing first team football for West Bromwich Albion.

And Swansea were also interested at one stage. Stoke City have also expressed an interest in Thomas in recent weeks but they have since signed Chris Iwelumo from Danish club Aarhus.

Now aged 21, more League experience could benefit Thomas and, in turn, Rovers.

He looked sharp last night and was significantly involved in all four goals.

One man who did move yesterday was Alan Fettis. The goalkeeper's transfer to York City was completed last night. Meanwhile, Ewood full back Simon Grayson is well aware of the need to improve the team's away record, with a double date at Worthington Cup runners-up Tranmere and promotion favourites Ipswich coming up.

But he believes Rovers are capable of building on their three-match unbeaten run.

"We have to try to pick up points at all the away games now," he said.

"We had a good result at Stockport and we have to carry that forward to the two games against Tranmere and Ipswich.

"They are two difficult games but they could just be there for us and there's no reason why we shouldn't avoid defeat at both."

After their defeat at Wembley by Leicester, the last thing Tranmere wanted was a tiring trip to the South coast to face Portsmouth last night.

But they pulled off a surprise 2-1 win at Fratton Park to put a 10-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone - so they can now relax.

And it was the First Division's most feared weapon, Dave Challinor's huge throws, which set up both goals and the win. Grayson accepts that Rovers will have to be both aware and wary of the threat and he expects to be working on minimising the damage from Tranmere's favourite tactic in training this week. "I would have thought so, you have to do because it's a unique weapon they have got," said the defender.

"It's not necessarily the first ball in that you have to cope with, it's the second one - the knockdowns and stuff like that.

"I suppose the best thing is to stop conceding throws, then you have a great chance."

Defender Reuben Hazell scored Tranmere's first at Fratton last night, with another defender Steve Yates sliding in the second when the keeper completely misjudged Challinor's late throw.

Midfielder Billy McKinlay missed out on more reserve team action last night after feeling some reaction following recent outings. He is expected to resume training next week.

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