Tom Heaton.

[It's Baggio]

Skysports.com understands Tom Heaton is hoping to secure a permanent move away from Manchester United in the January transfer window.

Heaton is currently at Rochdale after joining on an emergency loan until December following a successful three-month spell at Queens Park Rangers earlier this season.

The England Under 21 international has found his road to the United first team blocked and he is now prepared to move on to get his career back on track.

Queens Park Rangers have expressed their interest in bringing Heaton back to the club and the likes of Nottingham Forest and Norwich are also understood to be keeping tabs on Heaton's situation.

Heaton's advisor, Tony Coton, admits the 23-year-old is ready to find a new club in search of regular first-team action.

"Tom's contract is up in the summer and he will be leaving Manchester United," Coton told skysports.com.

"Tom is ready to move on as he wants to be playing regularly at this stage of his career.

"Ideally he would like to move on in January rather than waiting until the summer as he just wants to be playing.

"There are about half a dozen clubs interested in him and I am sure United would agree to letting him leave for a small fee if someone came in for him."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5705312,00.html

What with Smithy's contract up in June and him presumably itching for the #1 shirt somewhere, this might not be a bad move.

Let Smith go and bring in a younger, relatively cheap keeper to challenge Camp.

Although I have no idea how good/promising Heaton is, anyone seen him?

 

[Spring Heeled Jack]

Could be a good move.

It depends how much United want for him I guess. Either way, like you say, Smith's contract is up in June and he will probably be on his way.

 

[Caly in our Alley]

Let Smith go and bring in a younger, relatively cheap keeper to challenge Camp.

:'(

 

[removed user]

he could end up anywhere, liverpool or rome

 

[DaveRedDog]

The Sky article says he wants to play football, unless Camp gets injured I cannot see him getting a many games at Forest.

 

[Huxley]

he could end up anywhere, liverpool or rome

Good work sir, :cheers:

 

[earthworm]

Good work sir, :cheers:

That song was f***ing bob though.

 

[Dadford]

Smith will got to a L1 side in January for an undisclosed fee, and win some golden glove for being good at a lower level.

Getting a younger, understudy is a great idea even if Smith stays.

 

[Gary]

You have to feel for Smith in a way. I think if he moves down a level again, his Champ experience will make him one of the best in L1 and hopefully secure his rise again.

 

[Dadford]

You have to feel for Smith in a way. I think if he moves down a level again, his Champ experience will make him one of the best in L1 and hopefully secure his rise again.

Maybe, but he rose to L1 with us, and when we rose, we left him out.

 

[king_congo_red]

Smith will got to a L1 side in January for an undisclosed fee, and win some golden glove for being good at a lower level.

I think you underestimate the number of Championship 'keepers who are looking dodgy this year. There's probably one or two Championship sides willing to take a risk on him....

 

[Shippo]

He may be trouble, I've heard Heaton is a womaniser he's seeing quite a few there's...Jennifer, Alison, Phillipa, Sue, Deborah, Annabel, too... Sorry

 

[Chets Left Peg]

Excellent Heaton gags. ;D He's not a bad player but 'What You See IS What You Get'...

Anyway!

He's a pretty good keeper, really impressed playing for Cardiff last season but never going to get near the first team at United behind Van der Sar, Foster and Kuszczak, always looked neat and tidy playing for United's ressies though, good shot stopper, commands his box well, excellent one-on-one.

I'd be happy to see him at Forest, not sure why he went to QPR on loan to act as an understudy to Radek Cerny. He's much, much better than Rochdale anyway!

 

[RedMark]

This guy is a good player.

Unfortunately good enough to move Camp to the bench too

 

[removed user]

given a little time heaton could help us carry on up the charts (league tables)

 

[jammy]

Hm it's only FIFA but just signed him for 700,000, he's rated higher than campy, and only has wages of 300 quid a week

 

[dellaroc]

If he's p*ssed off not playing for United, I doubt he'd be happy understudying Super Camp. We don't need him.

I reckon we'll tie up Smith on another 12 months with the promise that he'll be given a chance to compete for the jersey. Once he leaves us it's back to League 1 so I'm sure he'll stick around for a bit yet.

 

[Ravi]

If he's p*ssed off not playing for United, I doubt he'd be happy understudying Super Camp. We don't need him.

I reckon we'll tie up Smith on another 12 months with the promise that he'll be given a chance to compete for the jersey. Once he leaves us it's back to League 1 so I'm sure he'll stick around for a bit yet.

I dont see any reason why we would offer Smith another contract. Makes more sense to get a younger player in instead.

 

[RedMark]

If he's p*ssed off not playing for United, I doubt he'd be happy understudying Super Camp. We don't need him.

And who is to say he would be an understudy to Camp ? This kid has alot going for him and I'm sure will be one of the top keepers in the future.

If he found a club and settled at 23 he has possibly another 15 years ahead of him too.

 

[The_City_Is_Ours]

And who is to say he would be an understudy to Camp ? This kid has alot going for him and I'm sure will be one of the top keepers in the future.

If he found a club and settled at 23 he has possibly another 15 years ahead of him too.

I can see Camp being our number one for a few seasons to come, so if he did come to us I doubt he would be playing in the first team. I believe that promising young goalies should be loaned out to get as much first team experience as they can as early as they can, so if we got him thats what I think Billy would want to do initially (but then that'd probably sink any possible move to sign him).

Once Smithy leaves I'd expect BD to be looking for an older, more experienced goalie to provide competition with Camp. I'm thinking along the lines of Hilario at Chelsea - he's never going to get a game when the Cech is fit, but when called upon he'll at least be competent between the sticks

 

[dellaroc]

And who is to say he would be an understudy to Camp ? This kid has alot going for him and I'm sure will be one of the top keepers in the future.

If he found a club and settled at 23 he has possibly another 15 years ahead of him too.

Why would we replace Lee Camp? He's our best player.

 

[Dadford]

I can see Camp being our number one for a few seasons to come, so if he did come to us I doubt he would be playing in the first team. I believe that promising young goalies should be loaned out to get as much first team experience as they can as early as they can, so if we got him thats what I think Billy would want to do initially (but then that'd probably sink any possible move to sign him).

Once Smithy leaves I'd expect BD to be looking for an older, more experienced goalie to provide competition with Camp. I'm thinking along the lines of Hilario at Chelsea - he's never going to get a game when the Cech is fit, but when called upon he'll at least be competent between the sticks

Oh man

 

[RedMark]

Why would we replace Lee Camp? He's our best player.

I'm not saying you would actively go out to replace him, but if any player came along be it Smith, Heaton or any other keeper, trained better and played better would you not try them in-between the sticks ?

That goes for any position, if it benefits the team would there be cause for complain ?

 

[Bridgfordred79]

Tom Heaton would probably displace Lee Camp by the end of 2011 if he joins in January.

 

[Brolin]

I've never seen him play and I'm quite surprised so many people have watched him enough to know if he would displace Camp or not.