Derby County eye Nottingham Forest striker Nathan Tyson

Tyson joined Forest from Wycombe in January 2006

Derby County are keen on Nottingham Forest's out-of-contract striker Nathan Tyson, BBC Radio Derby understands.

The 29-year-old has not been offered a deal by the Reds and has been free to talk to other clubs since January.

If Tyson were to join Forest's fierce rivals, the deal would be sure to cause controversy at both ends of the A52.

Tyson was fined and banned by the Football Association for waving a flag in front of Derby fans after Forest's 3-2 win over the Rams in August 2009.

The former Wycombe forward waved a corner flag bearing the Forest badge in front of some Derby fans and was then confronted by several Rams players before the majority of both teams and coaching staff tussled.

Both clubs were charged with failing to control players and officials and fined, while Tyson was charged with improper conduct.

Pacy forward Tyson has not been a regular for Forest this term, starting just 11 league games and making a further 19 Championship appearances from the bench.

And although Forest's failure to win promotion to the Premier League may yet prompt a contract offer from the Reds, no deal has been forthcoming so far and Tyson expects to leave the club this summer.

The last player to leave Forest for Derby was Kris Commons, who turned down a new contract offer to stay at the City Ground and moved along Brian Clough Way in June 2008.