Nottingham Forest

McParland hails Tyson after draw
Nottingham Forest joint caretaker boss Ian McParland was pleased to see Nathan Tyson claim Forest's equaliser as they drew 1-1 with Gillingham. "He has been working his pants off recently, but has seen other people score," McParland explained. "I fancied him to get another one, but I'm confident he'll score if he gets a chance like that next week. "We'll take the positives, as we've extended our unbeaten run to four matches, and that's important."

Doncaster v Nottm Forest
Doncaster manager Dave Penney is still patching up his team with five expected to miss Nottingham Forest's visit. They include striker Paul Heffernan, who is sidelined with a groin injury while Richard Offiong is unlikely to feature following a hamstring injury. Forest have no new injury worries as Nicky Southall is still missing with his shoulder problem. Defender Danny Cullip will be looking to force his way back in after missing the 1-1 draw against Gillingham.

Evans diagnosed with torn muscle
Nottingham Forest midfielder Paul Evans has been diagnosed with suffering a torn muscle in his hip. The 31-year-old has not turned out for the Reds' first-team this season - having been frozen out by former boss Gary Megson. However, Evans was aiming to return to the fold under joint caretaker managers Frank Barlow and Ian McParland. The former Bradford player sustained the injury earlier this month in a behind-closed-doors reserve friendly

Doncaster 1-2 Nottm Forest
Doncaster slumped to their first defeat in eight games after goalkeeper Jan Budtz gifted Nottingham Forest a goal which set them on the path to victory. Budtz was caught in two minds when Ian Breckin lobbed a ball into the box, and Kris Commns nipped in to score. Grant Holt added the second straight after the interval, hammering home an angled drive. Doncaster's James Coppinger scored from the spot with four minutes left after Paul Green was fouled by Sammy Clingan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doncaster: Budtz, Stephen Roberts, Lee, Wheater, McDaid, Price (Mulligan 79), Green, Horlock, Coppinger, Fortune-West (Neil Roberts 65), McCormack (Guy 65). Subs Not Used: Ravenhill, Blayney. Booked: Stephen Roberts. Goals: Coppinger 86 pen. Nottm Forest: Pedersen, Curtis, Breckin, Morgan, Perch, Bennett, Gary Holt, Clingan (Thompson 90), Commons, Grant Holt (Lester 88), Tyson. Subs Not Used: Gardner, Cullip, Gamble. Booked: Bennett. Goals: Commons 25, Grant Holt 47. Att: 8,299 Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

McParland keeping feet on ground
Nottingham Forest's joint caretaker boss Ian McParland is not getting carried away by their current good run. Forest beat Milton Keynes Dons 3-0 to stretch their unbeaten run to seven games, moving within seven points of the top six in the process. And McParland said of their play-off hopes: "You are always in with a chance until you can't do it mathematically. "I am not bothered about results elsewhere, all we are doing is trying to win every game."

Forest managers win monthly award
Nottingham Forest caretaker bosses Frank Barlow and Ian McParland have won the League One manager of the month award for March. Barlow and McParland have helped spark a revival at Forest since taking temporary charge in February 2006. Under their guidance Forest have enjoyed a six game unbeaten run and were the only League One side to remain undefeated in March. This impressive form has lifted Forest into contention for the play-offs. Also short-listed for the March award League One were Ronnie Moore of Oldham Athletic, Alan Knill of Rotherham United and Southend United's Steve Tilson.

Barlow happy to beat the elements
Nottingham Forest joint caretaker boss Frank Barlow was pleased to overcome wind, rain and hail at Saltergate as they beat Chesterfield 3-1. "It may have been exciting to watch, but it wasn't pretty. I'm just grateful we won," Barlow said. "I was hoping we could get to half time with a two-goal lead, but then they scored to get back in the game. "Chesterfield adjusted well to the conditions, and we were never comfortable until the third goal."

Keeper Gerrard back in training
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Paul Gerrard has returned to training and is stepping up his bid for a return to action after a spell on the sidelines. The former Everton stopper, 33, was injured in Forest's 3-0 defeat away at Oldham on 15 February. Gerrard has missed the last seven matches after undergoing knee surgery. Joint caretaker manager Frank Barlow told the club's website: "It's good to see Paul back on the training ground. He's progressing quite nicely."

Dobie sights pre-season as return
Nottingham Forest striker Scott Dobie has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a troublesome hip injury. Dobie, 27, visited the same American clinic as Sunderland forward Kevin Kyle in order to solve the problem and has since undergone surgery. However, the former Millwall player is targeting pre-season as a likely return to full fitness. Joint caretaker manager Frank Barlow said: "Realistically he's looking to get himself ready for next season."

Nottm Forest v Colchester
Nottingham Forest winger Nicky Southall is pushing for a recall after scoring twice for the reserves and Paul Evans could also feature after a hip problem. Paul Gerrard is back in training after knee surgery but is unlikely to figure. Colchester boss Phil Parkinson takes an unchanged squad to the City Ground with Richard Garcia (knee), Stephen Hunt and Marino Keith (both ankle) all missing. On-loan Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Scott Vernon both scored for the reserves in midweek and will be hoping to start.

Barlow denies Parkinson comment
Nottingham Forest joint caretaker boss Frank Barlow has denied reports quoting him as tipping Colchester manager Phil Parkinson to become Forest boss. Barlow was alleged to have said that Parkinson was "the best man for the job" at the City Ground. But he told Forest's website: "That's not what I said - nor what I would say. "I have the utmost respect for Phil and the job he has done at Colchester, but I would not be so disrespectful to Forest and tell them who to appoint." The clubs meet at the City Ground on Saturday.

Nottm Forest 1-0 Colchester
James Perch's lucky second-half strike was enough to earn Nottingham Forest maximum points against fellow promotion hopefuls Colchester. An attempted clearance from Wayne Brown cannoned off Perch and nestled in the corner of the net with 17 minutes left. The U's best chance fell to Chris Iwelumo who wastefully fired over from close range. Eight players were cautioned in a scrappy match that saw Forest make it 20 points from a possible 24. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nottm Forest: Pedersen, Bennett, Breckin, Morgan, Curtis, Commons, Gary Holt, Perch, Clingan (Thompson 79), Grant Holt (Lester 76), Tyson. Subs Not Used: Gamble, Cullip, Southall. Booked: Breckin, Tyson, Bennett. Goals: Perch 72. Colchester: Davison, Duguid, Brown, Richards (Chilvers 89), Baldwin, Yeates (Campbell-Ryce 75), Watson, Danns, Halford, Vernon (Clarke 67), Iwelumo. Subs Not Used: Gerken, White. Booked: Duguid, Danns, Watson, Clarke, Campbell-Ryce. Att: 22,680 Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).

Morgan commits future to Forest
Nottingham Forest defender Wes Morgan has signed a new contract keeping him at the City Ground until 2009. The 22-year-old academy product has made 129 appearances for Forest, including 42 this season. "We're delighted he has decided to pledge his future to us," Forest chief executive Mark Arthur told the League One club's website. "We're proud of our record of developing fine young talent, and Wes certainly falls into that category." Meanwhile, York-born striker Michael Vickers, 18, who is set to be released from Forest's academy, has joined League Two side Grimsby on trial.

Tranmere 0-1 Nottingham Forest
A first-half strike from Grant Holt was enough to defeat Tranmere and keep Forest's play-off dreams alive. Holt found the back of the net with an angled shot from a corner to notch up his fourth goal for the club. Tranmere had their chances but simply could not score as Steve Davies saw his shot deflected while Steve Jennings headed wide. Forest had a chance of a second when Nathan Tyson lobbed inches over Rovers' empty goal but they had done enough. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tranmere: Wilson, Raven, Sharps, Goodison, Roberts, Jennings, McAteer, O'Leary (Aiston 56), Greenacre, Facey, Davies (Tremarco 72). Subs Not Used: Linwood, Harrison, Palethorpe. Booked: Sharps, Goodison, Tremarco, Roberts. Nottm Forest: Pedersen, Curtis, Morgan, Breckin, Bennett, Clingan (Southall 89), Thompson, Gary Holt, Commons, Tyson, Grant Holt (Lester 88). Subs Not Used: Gardner, Cullip, Gamble. Goals: Grant Holt 17. Att: 9,152 Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).

Nott'm Forest 2-1 Yeovil
Nottingham Forest came from behind to beat Yeovil and move into the play-off places for the first time this season. The Glovers took a surprise early lead when Phil Jevons curled home a quickly-taken 25-yard free-kick. But Forest piled the pressure on and Nathan Tyson could have levelled before Ian Breckin nodded home a corner. Nicky Southall got the winner, heading in when Terry Skiverton blocked Tyson's shot to give Forest six league wins in a row for the first time since 1967. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nottm Forest: Pedersen, Morgan, Breckin, Curtis, Bennett, Commons, Thompson, Gary Holt, Clingan (Southall 60), Tyson (Lester 85), Grant Holt. Subs Not Used: Perch, Cullip, Gamble. Goals: Breckin 40, Southall 68. Yeovil: Collis, Lockwood, Jones (Miles 79), Skiverton, Guyett (Gall 79), Lindegaard, Davies, Cohen, Terry, Jevons, Harrold (Rocastle 69). Subs Not Used: Poole, Jordan. Booked: Skiverton, Lindegaard. Goals: Jevons 9. Att: 28,193 Ref: P Miller (Bedfordshire).

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