This could be a decisive weekend for Nottingham Forest in their hunt for a top-six finish.
Steve Cooper’s Reds have given themselves a great chance of making sure they are in the play-off mix, having shot up the Championship table under the Welshman’s stewardship. And they will be eager to make sure they now get over the line.
As the season reaches its business end, there is still plenty to be decided in the remaining games. Fulham have already confirmed their place in the Premier League next term, but a number of other teams are fighting it out to join them.
Read more: Predict Forest run-in and see where they finish in final Championship table
Read more: Predicted Forest XI to face Peterborough as Steve Cooper faces dilemma
Cook boost
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has welcomed the timely boost of an earlier than expected return for defender Steve Cook.
The centre-back suffered an ankle injury against Reading in mid-March and was set to be sidelined for six weeks. But he made his comeback on Monday night, coming off the bench in the 4-0 thumping of West Bromwich Albion.
It comes as skipper Lewis Grabban recently recovered from an ankle problem of his own which had kept him out since the end of January. And as the Reds look to secure a top-six finish in their final five games of the season, having the experienced duo available again could be crucial.
Asked if Cook would be ready to start games, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Peterborough United, Cooper said: “It’s probably a bit of both really, truth be told. He hasn’t had loads of training sessions. Sometimes you have to work with these guys and listen to how they are feeling.
Transfer talk
Norwich City manager Dean Smith is said to not be interested in Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis.
The Villa man joined Nottingham Forest on loan in January for the remainder of the season, enjoying an excellent second half to the campaign before suffering an injury blow. He has made seven goal contributions, while scoring five, in 15 Championship appearances.
The 24-year-old suffered a hamstring injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the regular season. It is still too early to say whether he will be able to take part in the play-offs, if the Reds cement their play in the top-six in the final weeks of the season.
"Next man up," Forest boss Steve Cooper said after confirming Davis' blow. "It’s disappointing that Keinan is out, obviously, and we feel for him. We’ve really enjoyed him. And the fans have really taken to him. But he’s not going anywhere - he’s still here and he’ll do his rehab here."
Final run-in
Nottingham Forest will take a run-in which sees four of their final five games played away from home firmly in their stride.
Defender Steve Cook says the Reds will approach each of their remaining fixtures with the same intent to win, whether they be at the City Ground or on the road. And they will take confidence from having lost only five times on their travels this term - the joint second-best record in the Championship, level with Bournemouth and behind only already-promoted Fulham.
Steve Cooper’s side make the trip to Peterborough United on Saturday aiming to cement their place in the top-six. They still have to go to Fulham, Bournemouth and Hull City as they chase their promotion dream. But Cook says there is plenty of belief within the squad that they can end the regular season with a flourish, starting at London Road.
“It’s a real shame we haven’t got more home games left, because football here is brilliant - you can see that with the crowd and our performances playing at home,” said the centre-back, who made his return from injury in Monday’s 4-0 thumping of West Bromwich Albion. “Apart from the Liverpool game (in the FA Cup), I haven’t experienced a loss at the City Ground. That just goes to show how strong our form has been here.
