Magpies sign ex-Forest defender

Thompson is a product of Forest's youth academy

Notts County have signed former Nottingham Forest defender John Thompson on a month's loan from Oldham.

The 27-year-old Irishman has joined as cover for Michael Johnson, who will miss Saturday's home tie with Macclesfield with badly bruised toes.

Magpies manager Ian McParland told the club website: "He is a solid defender, and at the moment we're a bit short on the ground at the back."

Thompson joined Oldham from Forest on a free transfer in 2007.

He made more than 100 appearances for Forest and has been capped by the Republic of Ireland three times.

"With two midweek games in a row coming up over the next fortnight it was always going to test the squad, so I felt it was best to get someone in who can do a job for us," added McParland.

"John can certainly do that."