Nottingham Forest

McParland calm after Forest win
Joint caretaker boss Ian McParland remained calm after Nottingham Forest's 2-1 win over Yeovil lifted them into the League One play-off zone. "Now we're in the top six, I'm not looking any further ahead than just staying there," he insisted. "When you start thinking that things are going your way, you tend to get an almighty kick up the backside. "We have to keep working hard - which is what the lads did today - and keep our feet on the floor."

Hartlepool v Nott'm Forest
Hartlepool should be able to call upon midfielder Mark Tinkler after he limped out of the defeat to Milton Keynes last weekend suffering from cramp. Anthony Sweeney (groin) is missing as is Gavin Strachan, but young striker James Brown is back in contention. Nottingham Forest keeper Paul Gerrard is in the reckoning again after playing for the reserves in midweek following 10 games out with a knee injury. Forest will equal a club record seven straight wins if they beat Hartlepool.

Barlow in stern warning to Forest
Joint caretaker boss Frank Barlow has warned Nottingham Forest not to take their foot off the pedal, after finally rising into the play-off places. Forest are unbeaten since Barlow and Ian McParland took over, and have won each of their last six games. But looking ahead to Saturday's game at Hartlepool, Barlow told Forest's website: "We can't afford to stutter. "We couldn't afford a hiccup when we were trying to get into the play-offs, and nothing has changed now."

Hartlepool 3-2 Nott'm Forest
Hartlepool boosted their hopes of League One survival and put paid to Forest's hopes of equalling a club-record run of seven straight wins. Forest went ahead after 15 minutes when Nathan Tyson lobbed keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, before Joel Porter equalised with a powerful header (32). Hartlepool pulled clear through Michael Nelson's deflected 25-yard strike and a Michael Proctor close-range finish. Kris Commons gave Forest hope (67) but the hosts held on for a vital win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Clarke, Sweeney (Darren Williams 71), Humphreys, Proctor, Porter (Istead 81), Eifion Williams (Brown 90). Subs Not Used: Boyd, Provett. Booked: Proctor, Barron. Goals: Porter 32, Nelson 59, Proctor 60. Nottm Forest: Pedersen, Curtis, Morgan, Breckin, Bennett, Clingan (Southall 83), Thompson (Perch 74), Commons, Gary Holt, Tyson, Grant Holt (Lester 58). Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Cullip. Booked: Grant Holt, Gary Holt. Goals: Tyson 15, Commons 67. Att: 5,336. Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Forest keeper on comeback trail
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Paul Gerrard continued his comeback from injury by coming through his second comeback match without any ill-effects. Gerrard followed up his return against Rotherham last week by playing the full game in a friendly with Notts County. Joint caretaker manager Ian McParland told the club website: "Paul is getting stronger all the time." Gerrard, 33, had a knee operation after he was injured in Forest's 3-0 defeat away at Oldham on 15 February.

Nott'm Forest v Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Paul Gerrard is fit to play again after 10 games out with a knee injury. Nicky Southall and James Perch are both chasing places in the starting XI for the crucial City Ground contest. Bournemouth skipper Neil Young will have a late fitness test after picking up a knock in training on Wednesday. Fellow defender Eddie Howe (Achilles) is still a major doubt, but Adam Griffiths came through a reserve game on Monday with no reaction.

McParland ready for 'edgy' finale
Nottingham Forest joint caretaker boss Ian McParland is expecting a tense final day in League One next week in their battle to make the play-offs. After Forest were held to a draw by Bournemouth, they must rely on Barnsley or Swansea slipping up next weekend. But McParland insisted: "I won't be thinking about the other scores - we've got enough to worry about. We just have to go and win our game at Bradford. "If you look at the other results today, everybody's edgy at the moment." Those results saw Forest and their play-off rivals Brentford, Barnsley and Swansea all draw their penultimate league games, while Huddersfield lost - but the final day is likely to see Barnsley, Swansea and Forest battling for two places. Forest had to come from behind to draw 1-1 in front of 26,847 fans at the City Ground, but were unable to manufacture a winner against a stubborn Bournemouth rearguard. "The boys are disappointed they didn't get three points as they're desperate to get in the play-offs," McParland explained. "In the first half, we couldn't quite come to terms with their tactics, and we caused our own problems, as the lads were a bit edgy. "Bournemouth are a good passing side and I've always admired how Sean O'Driscoll's teams play, but they only had two attempts at goal - and that's counting their goal, where we went to sleep. "In the second half, the lads were magnificent. We didn't give them a sniff and absolutely battered them. "We made lots of chances, and their goalkeeper (Gareth Stewart) made a save that would grace the World Cup, from James Perch's overhead kick. "I'd like to see Wes Morgan's disallowed goal on video, but Bournemouth rode their luck and defended well." Having looked set for nothing more than a mid-table finish when McParland and fellow joint boss Frank Barlow took over from Gary Megson in February, Forest's run to the brink of the play-offs has been astonishing. Their attention now falls to next Saturday's game at Bradford - where they must win and hope either Barnsley or Swansea fail to win. A draw would leave them needing the Swans to lose, or Barnsley to lose by two or more goals. "By any standards, in any division, eight wins, three draws and only one defeat from 12 games is a remarkable turnaround," McParland added. "I think the fans thought in February that we'd just play out the season, but they've seen light at the end of the tunnel and come out in their thousands. "They've supported the lads really well, and I think we've already sold 6,000 tickets for next week at Bradford. "It might even be better that we're away from home, as they'll come at us more than teams do here, and it'll open up a little bit. "But it'll be a normal build-up. We go out to win every game, and we won't change anything."

Dobie on course for August return
Scott Dobie is on course to make his Nottingham Forest comeback at the start of next season. The Scottish striker is still on crutches following hip surgery but could take part in pre-season. Forest caretaker boss Ian McParland said: "It will be like a new signing for us. "It's still a long haul for Scott, but his operation was a success. He's a really nice lad and we're all hoping he can play again as soon as possible."

Johnson steps up comeback efforts
Nottingham Forest striker David Johnson has stepped up his training as he bids to return to action after undergoing a back operation. The 29-year-old had surgery on a prolapsed disc in December but has started running again. Johnson told the club website: "I started running a few days ago, slowly jogging for 15 minutes and I've had no reaction which is good news. "I'd like to think I will be fit enough to start pre-season training."

Calderwood named new Forest boss
Nottingham Forest have appointed Northampton manager Colin Calderwood as the new boss at the City Ground. The 41-year-old former Scotland defender has signed a three-year contract with the League One side. Calderwood, who has just guided Town to promotion from League Two, had also been given permission by the Cobblers to speak to Championship side Ipswich. Forest have been without a permanent manager since Gary Megson's departure in February. Joint caretaker bosses Frank Barlow and Ian McParland took them to the brink of the League One play-offs, but the pair did not want the job full-time. Calderwood played for Forest between 2000 and 2001 and also spent time with Mansfield, Swindon, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Forest chief handed League role
Nottingham Forest chief executive Mark Arthur has been elected to join the Football League Board. Arthur's appointment will see him act as a representative for League One. The chief executive will hold the role for a period of three years but is subject to the club's promotion or relegation from the division. Arthur took up the post as chief executive at the City Ground in Janury 2000, having held a similar post at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

Forest sweating on Tyson injury
Nottingham Forest are waiting for news on striker Nathan Tyson, who went off with a knee injury after just six minutes of their 1-0 win over Bradford. \"Right now, it looks quite a nasty one,\" Forest manager Colin Calderwood told his club's website. \"He's very sore at the moment, but we'll just have to wait and see the results of the scans. \"He'll certainly be missing against Blackpool on Tuesday night, and that's something we had not bargained for.\" But he added: \"It's all about having a group of players - Grant Holt came on early, and played a full part in the win. \"It was his cross that led to the goal.\"

Nottm Forest 1-0 Bradford
Colin Calderwood got off to a winning start as Nottingham Forest boss as they fortuitously beat Bradford. Forest suffered the early loss through injury of striker Nathan Tyson, but still took the lead when Julian Bennett converted a Grant Holt cross. Bradford had the best chances and Paul Smith saved well from David Graham. Forest substitute Neil Harris saw a penalty saved by Donovan Ricketts after Mark Bower fouled Holt before Smith made a stunning save from Dean Windass. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nottm Forest: Smith, Gary Holt, Morgan, Breckin, Bennett, Southall, Clingan, Cullip (Curtis 82), Perch, Tyson (Grant Holt 6), Lester (Harris 66). Subs Not Used: Pedersen, Thompson. Goals: Bennett 10. Bradford: Ricketts, Edghill, Wetherall, Bower, Parker, Jermaine Johnson, Schumacher, Bridge-Wilkinson (Doyle 72), Holmes (Colbeck 70), Windass, Graham (Eddie Johnson 81). Subs Not Used: Howarth, Rogers. Booked: Parker. Att: 19,665 Ref: A Penn (W Midlands).

Tyson injury verdict is delayed
Nottingham Forest must wait until Wednesday to discover the extent of striker Nathan Tyson's knee injury. Tyson was forced off after just six minutes of Forest's 1-0 win over Bradford on Saturday, and definitely misses Tuesday's trip to Blackpool. \"He will be scanned on Wednesday,\" boss Colin Calderwood told the club website. \"The outlook is quite grim at the minute - it looks as though it will be a fairly considerable time before he's back involved.\" Tyson's MRI scan will go ahead on Wednesday once the swelling around the joint has gone down. Midfielder Kris Commons, who was ruled out of the Bradford game, is also set to have further scans on the knee and ankle he injured in pre-season.

Calderwood happy to reap benefits
Colin Calderwood was delighted with Nottingham Forest's 2-0 win over Blackpool and revealed his hard work on the training ground was paying off. The Scot, who took over Forest in the summer, said: \"We're very happy. \"The boys are celebrating because they know they have got the reward for their performance. We soaked up pressure and did the business just as I had hoped. \"I have a reputation for being a defensive coach but we work on attack skills every day and that paid off.\"

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