Nottinghamshire

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Nottingham Forest are ready to offer defender Neco Williams a new contract.

The Wales international's current deal expires next summer and Forest are keen to keep him at the City Ground, with talks at a very early stage.

Left-back Williams has been a key part of a defence which has conceded just 35 goals in the Premier League this season, the third best, with Forest third in the table.

Atalanta were interested in the 23-year-old last summer but Williams remained with Forest and has played 29 times this season.

He joined from Liverpool for £17m in 2022 and has made 97 appearances, scoring twice.

Forest have already tied down 18-goal Chris Wood to a new deal until 2027 after defender Murillo signed a new four-and-a-half year contract in January.

They travel to Brighton in the their FA Cup quarter final tie on Saturday before hosting Manchester United in the Premier League next Tuesday.

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This is the first FA Cup meeting between Brighton and Nottingham Forest. Forest have progressed from both previous cup ties against the Seagulls - 3-1 in the 1977-78 League Cup quarter-finals, and 3-0 on aggregate in the 1986-87 League Cup second round.

Brighton have progressed from their past two FA Cup quarter-finals, beating Millwall on penalties in 2018-19 and thrashing Grimsby Town 5-0 in 2022-23.

Forest have lost their past three FA Cup quarter-final ties, all by a 1-0 scoreline. They most recently reached the semi-finals of the competition in 1990-91, ultimately reaching the final and losing to Tottenham.

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Sweden's Anthony Elanga said Northern Ireland are a "really good young team" and praised goalkeeper Pierce Charles, despite dominating Michael O'Neill's young side in the Stockholm friendly.

Nottingham Forest striker Elanga was on the scoresheet in Sweden's 5-1 win on Tuesday night, but thinks the beaten visitors are heading in the right direction under O'Neill.

"I've been watching Northern Ireland and I think they're really good, they've got a really good manager.

"You've got a really good, young team that play football, play good football. I really enjoy watching you guys play."

Elanga knows a number of O'Neill's squad and believes 19-year-old goalkeeper Charles, who won his sixth cap at the Strawberry Arena, is an "amazing" prospect.

"I know a few of the players, Ethan Galbraith who I played with at [Manchester] United, the Charles brothers [who were products of the Manchester City youth system].

"He [Pierce] is an amazing goalkeeper by the way, he's got a bright future."

Sweden's victory came without Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski and Sporting Lisbon striker Victor Gyokeres.

Elanga said he was "not at all" frustrated to start the game on the bench, especially with Nottingham Forest's FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton on Saturday.

"Coming on, I wanted to make an impact and score and that's what I did.

"It's important to stay fit and healthy because I've got a lot of games coming up for Nottingham Forest."

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Nottingham Forest have enjoyed remarkable success this season, third in the Premier League and lining up an FA quarter-final at Brighton on Saturday.

"If nothing else, this season has taught the fans that they can dream," BBC Sport reporter Charlie Slater told Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.

"The prospect of a trip to Wembley is a huge thing for the Forest fanbase because they have barely been over the past two-and-a-half decades.

"The time they visited was the Championship play-off final under Steve Cooper when they won promotion. So the idea of getting to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final is mouthwatering."

The club's most recent domestic cup appearance at Wembley was back in 1992, when Brian Clough's side lost 1-0 to Manchester United in the League Cup final.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Looking a little further ahead in England, at least this weekend gives some players a little break. The Premier League takes a rest while the FA Cup quarter-finals top the bill and rarely has there been a more unusual cast list.

Bournemouth, Preston North End, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brighton are not regulars in FA Cup finals, so it is a great chance for glory.

Not since Forest in 1959 have any of the above won the trophy.‌

Many of the big dogs have gone out already - not because they didn't care, but because they simply weren't good enough.

The FA Cup seems to have its sparkle back and, with a bit of luck, it might even have the first magical fairytale ending we have seen since Wigan in 2013.

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Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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Nottingham Forest's first team is so settled that, given our current position, it is difficult to ask any more of them.

Ten names make the manager's teamsheet without any thought and the 11th place invariably falls to Nicolas Dominguez or Ryan Yates in midfield, depending on the opposition.

Midfielders Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are still finding match fitness after injury, while Taiwo Awoniyi finds himself in a similar position given the form of Chris Wood.

However, the news from New Zealand's World Cup qualifier this weekend presents a dilemma for Nuno Espirito Santo. After limping off in the 3-0 win over New Caledonia, we can only hope Wood's injury is not too serious.

Anthony Elanga has played in a more advanced role in the past few games, but Awoniyi might find himself called upon to be the Reds' target man again. In substitute appearances he has done a job in occupying opposition defences, holding the ball up and bringing in team-mates. But can he find the form that brought him 10 goals in 2022-23?

Forest have been particularly reliant on Wood being so prolific this season, although the team has been helped by others scoring in recent matches. As the only like-for-like replacement in the squad, Awoniyi may have the opportunity to secure his future at the club - or impress potential suitors.

Either way, in the remaining nine league games it is likely that squad players are the ones who can make a real impact - even with limited opportunity. Forwards Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa have shown their potential and can relieve the pressure on the front three of Wood, Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Keeping momentum going and staying fit is going to be key to Forest's season now.

Awoniyi has proved to be crucial to the club's destiny in the past. Can he do it again?

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