Nottingham Forest are triggering a contract extension for Ola Aina after an impressive debut season at the City Ground.

Forest have an option to activate a new one-year deal for the Nigeria international and it is understood to be a formality. Aina has been a dependable utility player for both Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo after his contract expired at Serie A club Torino last year.

The former Chelsea trainee, 27, has made 13 Premier League appearances for Forest so far this season.

Meanwhile, it is understood that leading scorer Chris Wood - who has scored eight goals in his past nine matches - has another year left on his contract. It was thought that the New Zealand international would be a free agent this summer but he signed until the end of the 2024/25 season after completing his PS15 million move from Newcastle last February.

Walters eyed for Stoke technical directorFormer Republic of Ireland international Jon Walters is in pole position to land the job as technical director at Stoke.

Walters was appointed as an interim after the dismissal of Ricky Martin in February and is the favourite to be installed on a permanent basis. The former Stoke forward has impressed since his return to the Bet365 Stadium and has support from John Coates, the club's joint-owner.

Contrary to reports, former Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber has not held talks with Stoke over the role.

Goalkeeper Dieng being watched by Premier League clubsMiddlesbrough's Seny Dieng has interest from Premier League and European clubs ahead of a busy summer of trading for goalkeepers.

Dieng, 29, has caught the eye with his performances in the Championship with Middlesbrough after joining from QPR in the summer.

Newcastle are in the market for a back-up goalkeeper and have Dieng on their radar, with Loris Karius's contract expiring in the summer. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have two England internationals in Sam Johnstone and Dean Henderson and are braced for one of them to be offered a No 1 slot elsewhere.

Ipswich are admirers of Dieng and they could be playing in the Premier League next season, while Sevilla have also watched the Zurich-born goalkeeper, with the Spanish club's sporting director Victor Orta, who used to work at Middlesbrough and knows Dieng from his time facing him at Leeds.

Dieng saved a penalty for Senegal in their recent clash against Benin and he is expected to compete with Edouard Mendy for the No 1 jersey in the next years. Boro signed Dieng for around PS2 million in the summer but are set to at least double that should he depart when the window opens.