THERE'S nothing wrong with Joey Beauchamp, says Oxford United's own physio, John Clinkard.

The 27-year-old's proposed £800,000 move to Nottingham Forest fell through last week when the winger failed a medical because of back and toe problems, according to City Ground sources.

But Clinkard said he was astonished by Forest's decision and feels sorry both for Beauchamp and for Oxford United, who were relying on the sale to help the club's dire financial position.

"He's not injured so far as I'm concerned," said Clinkard. "I'm not going to treat him because these are not serious problems.

"I didn't speak to Forest but they gave the reasons for their decision to Maurice Evans and apparently some things showed up on the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.

"Most medical people I know don't rely on these scans. They aren't particularly reliable. You look instead at playing records and Joey has missed six games in four years.

"I know what his fitness is like because I'm the physio and Joey's a stranger to me. That's how often I have to treat him."

Clinkard added: "There's never been a player yet who doesn't have some problem, but that doesn't affect your judgment on whether to sign him unless it's a serious problem and Joey's certainly isn't. "The more you use these mini-scans the more unreliable you realise they are. I think Forest have been very finicky about the whole thing.

"I was very surprised, in fact shocked, when I heard he'd failed a medical. I feel sorry for him. It's very unfair on the lad and the club."

However, Clinkard does not believe it will mean Beauchamp can't get another club.

"If I was presented with the same evidence I would sign him. In fact I was - three years ago when we signed him back from Swindon - and his appearance record shows there's nothing wrong with him."

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