Nottingham

Nottingham Forest's strong start to the Premier League season should have the Reds once again dreaming of making a return to European competition, says award-winning football writer Henry Winter.

After two seasons battling to avoid relegation, Forest have made a strong start to the campaign under Nuno Espírito Santo and are fifth in the table after 11 matches.

Asked if the two-time European Cup winners could realistically finish high enough to qualify for one of the continental competitions, Winter said the East Midlands club have the pedigree to make it happen.

"If you look at the top of the Premier League table, it's only Arsenal that haven't won a Champions League or European Cup. Nottingham Forest have got two of them," Winter told BBC East Midlands Today.

"I can remember going into the old board room and just seeing the two replica cups up there. I started out covering the tail end of Brian Clough's career [as Forest manager] and I think European football and Nottingham Forest are not exactly strangers.

"So absolutely, why not? They are expanding the European competitions and Nottingham Forest could completely be in that."

Nottingham Forest will ignore any approaches for 22-year-old Brazil defender Murillo in January, with Real Madrid among the clubs interested. (Football Insider), external

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Saveena Johal
Fan writer

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Our Yatesy - he encapsulates just what it means to be a Forest fan.

As one of our own, his understanding and respect for our club is greater than we could imagine, demonstrated in his performances both on and off the pitch. Brian Clough had a similar sort of player in Forest legend John McGovern.

Yates aggravates opposition players and their fans. Drawing fouls is his forte and he does so with a smile. He breaks up play and is a great exponent of the dark arts, perfectly executing this in every single match. Endearing to the Forest community, to others it is effortlessly irritating.

Already this season, he has captained Forest to a remarkable victory at Liverpool, dominating World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister in the process.

However, despite being an integral part of the team, his work goes largely unnoticed. As the linchpin of a team firmly on the rise, he deserves an international call-up.

Hopefully, he will be up for consideration soon. There should undoubtedly be a place for his enthusiasm and tenacity in the England squad - causing mischief in midfield is his strength after all.

Saveena Johal can be found at Punjabi Forest, external

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

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There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Nottingham Forest have joined Premier League rivals Brentford, Fulham and Newcastle United in chasing Botafogo and Brazil striker Igor Jesus, 23. (TBR), external

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