Billy Davies will again be without key defenders for the big clash with Derby, but feels Forest are showing enough to prove they are heading in the right direction to increase their Championship football odds.

Despite picking up just two points from their opening four league games, Davies’ men showed they are capable of mixing it with the best in the division when they inflicted Middlesbrough’s first defeat of the season.

Let’s not get too carried away, it was the first round of the Carling Cup and it took extra-time to see off Boro, but the fans can feel a bit more upbeat going into this weekend’s visit of the old enemy.

No-one will be more determined to put one over on the Rams than Davies, especially with the way his spell in charge at Pride Park came to an end, and it appears the manager thinks things are on the turn for the Reds.

Speaking after the Cup win, Davies said: “I can’t praise this team enough. They’re showing fantastic spirit and attitude, they’re a wonderful group of players.

“There’s no doubt about they can only get better and better. I just keep urging everyone, just be patient.”

Davies has indicated that Forest could welcome back Joel Lynch to the squad for Saturday’s City Ground derby, but the manager is keen for the fixture pile-up to end in order to ease his defensive problems.

Forest’s three week run of a weekend game followed by a midweek clash will end following the Derby match and both Guy Moussi and Kelvin Wilson could be back for next weekend’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday.