Achieving promotion would mean “a completely different conversation” over Brennan Johnson’s Nottingham Forest future.
The 21-year-old’s dad, and former Reds ace, David says the youngster’s contract situation has been put to one side as the focus is on trying to reach the Premier League. But what happens in Sunday’s play-offs final against Huddersfield Town could have an impact on how any further talks go.
Johnson has enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough season in the Championship, bagging 19 goals so far, including one in each of his last three appearances. He will look to cap it by playing a key role at Wembley this weekend.
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Referee appointment
Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town fans have been venting their frustrations after Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed that Jon Moss will referee the Championship play-off final.
The showpiece match at Wembley Stadium will be the official's final match in the middle after announcing that the whistle will be hung up at the end of this season. It was originally believed that Sunday's controversial match on the final day of the Premier League season between Leicester City and Southampton would be Moss' final foray, but the 51-year-old has also been bestowed this honour to end a 17-year professional refereeing career.
Last weekend's match was highlighted by Moss inadvertently playing a part in Leicester's opener by wrongly awarding the ball to the hosts after a stoppage rather than the visitors, which started an attack in which James Maddison scored the rebound from Jamie Vardy's initial effort. Here is a selection of social media reaction from Forest and Huddersfield supporters to the appointment.
Just Lambert: It's Jon Moss in charge on Sunday. In completely unrelated news can I say how fantastic The Vinyl Whistle is and that I very much recommend them to all.
Opposition view
Huddersfield Town boss Carlos Corberan says he won’t change his team’s approach for Sunday’s promotion decider against Nottingham Forest.
A place in the Premier League is up for grabs when Steve Cooper’s side take on the Terriers in the play-offs final at Wembley. Both sides are in the midst of their preparations for this weekend, with the Reds having overcome Sheffield United in the semi-finals and their opponents having seen off Luton Town.
Corberan says it is important his players recognise what is at stake. But he wants to ensure they have a certain mentality when it comes to facing Forest.
“We need to play the next game in the same way we have played every single game,” the Huddersfield boss, who has taken his team to Portugal for a training camp, told the club's official website. “If we hadn’t given enough importance to the previous games, it would be impossible to be here now.
Player ratings
Whatever happens at Wembley, it has been a brilliant season for Nottingham Forest.
From bottom of the Championship table in September to being 90 minutes away from the Premier League, the resurgence under Steve Cooper has been remarkable. And the Reds have provided plenty of magical moments along the way.
Valuable contributions have been made all over the pitch, while transfer business done in January also proved telling. Ahead of Sunday’s promotion decider with Huddersfield Town, Forest correspondent Sarah Clapson gives her player ratings for the season.
Brice Samba: That performance against Sheffield United will go down in Forest folklore. One of the best goalkeeping displays you'll see. Has come to the rescue on so many other occasions during the campaign, and appears to have learnt his lesson from the sending off against Stoke City. Rating: 9/10
