Exclusive – Earnshaw: McClaren tried to keep me at Nottingham Forest

New Cardiff signing Robert Earnshaw has claimed Steve McClaren tried to talk him into staying at Nottingham Forest.

The Wales international returned to his former club on a free transfer earlier this week and has told talkSPORT he rejected the chance to stay at The City Ground.

Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, Earnshaw said: “Steve McClaren tried to talk me into staying at Nottingham Forest.

“We had a good conversation about football and I was very impressed with the way he spoke and what he said.

“He tried to get me to stay but unfortunately it just couldn’t happen.

“I was close to going at a number of places and I spoke to a lot of people. The best place for me to play was Cardiff though, and I thought that’s where I need to go.”

The former Norwich and Derby striker also claims the Bluebirds are targeting promotion from the Championship next season.

He added: “That’s the aim. The reason I’m going down there is to try and get the club up, to go one step further than we have done in the last couple of years.”