Kris Boyd moves to Nottingham Forest in loan deal

Middlesbrough striker Kris Boyd has joined npower Championship rivals Nottingham Forest on loan.

The 27-year-old Scotland international will spend the rest of the season at the City Ground, with 31-year-old goalkeeper Paul Smith travelling in the opposite direction.

Boro manager Tony Mowbray said: "It's a good deal for the club and it's a good deal for the player (Boyd], who will hopefully get some game time and build his confidence back up."

Boyd joined Boro from Rangers on a free transfer during the summer of last year with then manager Gordon Strachan believing he had pulled off something of a coup.

However, the goalscoring exploits which made the striker's name north of the border have largely deserted him on Teesside and his 29 appearances to date have seen him find the back of the next just six times.

He leaves the Riverside with the club lying in 20th place in the table, just three points above the drop zone, to join Billy Davies' promotion-chasing Forest, who were fifth ahead of last night's trip to struggling Sheffield United, but just three points off an automatic promotion spot. Boro were in action at home to Derby last night.