GERRARD POISED TO LEAVE

Thursday 25 March 2004, 11:11

Paul Gerrard looks set to sign for Nottingham Forest on-loan until the end of the season later today - which would bring an earlier than expected end to his Everton career.

Gerrard, who is out of contract with Everton come May, is expected to tie up the formalities of the switch before the Nationwide League transfer deadline at 5pm.

The 31-year-old experienced 'keeper has struggled to make any sort of impact under David Moyes and has only made five appearances for the Blues Boss since his arrival two years ago.

Gerrard has spent loan spells at Ipswich and Sheffield United and was on the verge of rejoining former Everton boss Joe Royle for the third time in his career before injury blocked a permanent move to Portman Road in December 2002.

Since his return from Brammall Lane earlier this season, Gerrard has not figured in either a first or reserve team squad at Everton and the decision by Forest boss Joe Kinnear to take him to the City Ground will end a frustrating few months.

If everything goes to plan in the course of the next few hours then Gerrard could make his debut at home to Crewe where he could come face-to-face with reserve regular Michael Symes, who signed for the Railwaymen on-loan yesterday.