Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies has claimed an amazing bust-up with Derby County rival Nigel Clough.

The Sun says Nottingham Forest boss Davies alleges Derby manager Clough HIT him from behind, then KNEED him in the back of a leg in the East Midlands derby at Pride Park on Saturday.

Pint-sized Davies, 45, was making his first return to the club that sacked him two years ago - just a few months after he led them into the Premier League.

Forest lost 1-0 - their first defeat in 20 Championship games - but Davies insisted: "What really hurts me is that Nigel Clough behaved so badly.

"What he did was cowardly and I don't understand it. We used to get on so well together.

"There was a big bust-up between most of the players on the touchline right in front of the dugouts. Management and backroom staff from both teams got involved.

"Nigel hit me from behind in the struggle, and bashed his knee into the back of my leg.

"He tried to claim it was accidental but I think it was deliberate.

"So if Nigel wants to know why I didn't shake hands at the final whistle then I'm telling him. It's a pity we have come to this."

Clough, asked to make a response, said: "Thanks, but I've absolutely no comment to make on the matter."