Nottingham Forest sign Kris Boyd on loan

Middlesbrough striker Kris Boyd is to join npower Championship rivals Nottingham Forest on loan as manager Tony Mowbray's search for a goalkeeper finally paid dividends.

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

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 in his native country 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 north east with the club lying in 20th place in the table, just three points above the drop zone, to join promotion-chasing Forest, who are fifth ahead of tonight's trip to struggling Sheffield United, but just three points off an automatic promotion spot.

But Boro's need for a keeper became Mowbray's major concern when Jason Steele tore a stomach muscle during Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Reading.

Steele is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, while Danny Coyne's back problem will keep him out for another three or four weeks.

Eighteen-year-old Connor Ripley, the son of former midfielder Stuart, took over at the Madejski Stadium, but Mowbray is desperate not to dent his confidence by throwing him in too soon.

To that end, he has spent the last 48 hours desperately trying to find an experienced loan signing, and finally made a breakthrough with Smith.

Mowbray said: "Smith has plenty of experience at this level and he has played in the Premier League too.

"We clearly needed a goalkeeper, and he brings us experience and a steady pair of hands."

The newcomer will go straight into the team for tonight's vital home clash with Derby.