Nottinghamshire

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Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates on missing the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City through suspension: "I try not to think about it too much. It's part and parcel. They just need to change the rules - a couple of bookings is normal for me. I'm sure the lads are going to get through it and I can have the final.

"It's going to be so special. You have to enjoy these occasions. We can't overthink it. That's not what the manager is like, Nuno is so consistent with our processes. We will treat it like any other game but knowing there is that extra little bit of excitement and anticipation."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray offered plenty on the looming fixture, stating: "Manchester City have been to the new Wembley 28 times. When you think about it, it is almost a full Premier League season of matches since the new Wembley was built. The other thing is six of their most recent visits have been FA Cup semi-finals. This is their seventh FA Cup semi-final in a row, so they are very used to this occasion.

"For Forest, first one at the new Wembley, first semi since 1991. Forest fans have waited a lifetime for an occasion like we will see on Sunday. That might just give Forest an edge to nullify City's experience. You never know. You never know before any Wembley game because it's about who adapts the better to the wide open spaces, the torrent of noise that we know will come from the Forest fans. It's just intriguing."

Listen to Shut Up And Show More Football featuring interviews with Yates, Jota Silva and experts on the FA Cup semi-final

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Nottingham Forest winger Jota Silva has given a rare interview and told the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast he is living a "dream" this season.

The 25-year-old, who has vastly improved his English in recent months, told the BBC Radio Nottingham podcast: "I think it's a great season. It's incredible to be here and help the team play this football. In England, this football, it's incredible.

"For me, this is perfect for me and the club. I am very happy to be here. I worked a lot to try to be here so now I arrive and I try to do my best on the pitch, play with my passion that I have for this sport.

"If the coach says he needs me for 90 minutes, I play. If he needs me for five minutes I try for five minutes, try to impact the game and bring energy from the bench. For me the most important is to help the team and do my job.

"We are in the position we are because we don't have a team, we have a squad, a family here. Like the coach said, what we can achieve this season is so special so we work hard every day to achieve this.

"One of the words to describe this team is belief. In the FA Cup games, sometimes you score and go to extra time or penalties and you need belief in ourselves and team-mates. I think this is the word to describe this team, belief and passion.

"For me to play here in the Premier League and FA Cup is a dream. You have the Champions League and Premier League, FA Cup, every cup in this country is so special. We believe in ourselves and our work and we can improve every day."

And, on the prospect of running out at Wembley, the summer signing said: "This is a dream for any kid and any person playing football. I will go to the game to enjoy, with responsibility, but to enjoy."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker says Ola Aina would get his vote for a place in any Premier League Team of the Season.

Aina, 28, has impressed for Nottingham Forest during their stellar season.

Speaking on The Kyle Walker podcast, the full-back, who is on loan at AC Milan at the moment, said: "If I would have said to you at the start of the season, 'Forest, I think I've seen a stat that they have a 90 % chance of being in the Champions League now'. You'd have said, 'no chance.'

"They've just got players that have been on form. Elanga's been incredible, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood has produced the goals that he's produced. I think the commentator the other night said a very good thing that they've kept the team fit for most of the year. They've not been, touch wood, hit with a lot of injuries."

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown said: "I tell you who's done well, Kyle. Ola Aina, the right-back. He looks so comfortable and calm and like, in one-v-one situations he just goes, like, 'Go on then...let's go. Take me on!'"

Walker added: "He plays left and right back. He's so quick. I was impressed with him a couple of years back when I played against him and just his calmness on the ball, how he defended in the one-v-one situations. You know, he would definitely get my vote for being either left or right back for the team this season, which is fully deserved."

Listen to The Kyle Walker Podcast here

Guess the current Nottingham Forest player from these three clues:

• I represent Ivory Coast at international level.

• I played under Forest manager Nuno at another Premier League club.

• I started a Europa League quarter-final in 2020.

Come back to this page later on Friday for the answer

Roma, Napoli and two Premier League clubs are interested in signing Nottingham Forest's 24-year-old England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is out of contract next summer. (Sky Sports, external)

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The latest episode of Shut Up And Show More Football is absolutely packed.

Ryan Yates, Jota Silva, some legends, BBC Radio Nottingham's expert voices - they all feature.

It's one you don't want to miss as such a big occasion looms.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked you what would mean more to you - winning the FA Cup and the glory of lifting a trophy or qualifying for the Champions League?

This is what you said:

Arthur: While qualifying for the Champions League would be great, winning a trophy would live longer in the memory of the fans.

Dave: Given the past two seasons, if we win the FA Cup but "only" qualify for the Europa League, is anyone really going to complain? I know I wouldn't.

Mark: I reckon most fans would love a cup final, which is a big ask as Manchester City have found their touch again. The Champions League would be amazing and financially very good for the club but I would settle for the Europa League and a cup final.

Alex: Champions League would give us more finances to build a team next season. That is more beneficial in the current footballing climate.

Nick: Why not both? City will be favourites on Sunday as Wembley is like a second home to them, but in a one-off game who knows? We won against the same side recently, albeit at home.

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Nottingham Forest's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City is a game of contrasting styles.

City are not a team known for going on quick breaks and Forest are not a side that keeps a lot of possession. However, they have both ended up being in similar positions in the league, so both systems can work.

In terms of how they go up against each other, I think there is a lot to be said about the value of that first goal.

From a Forest standpoint, taking a lead will give the confidence to believe they can hold on to it in the same way we have seen many times this season already.

They can frustrate their opposition into over-committing at times, meaning they can maybe go and get a second or a third goal while not adjusting their style of play.

For City, if they get the first goal, their ability to control the tempo of a game and possession can frustrate the opposition - especially if you want to try to force them to come out and on to you.

That first goal is going to be key because whoever gets it really will dictate the nature of the game. When sides have similar styles, the first goal could be the first of many and it could be back and forth. I don't necessarily predict that in this one.

It is too close to the end of the season to say that the Champions League is something Forest should not be thinking about, but they are also one win away from having the chance to play for silverware. So I think both things are massive.

The cup final is before the end of the season so Forest could go into it in great shape and with Champions League qualification looking likely anyway, so maintaining good form means both things look after themselves.

These are pinch yourself moments for the Forest fans. If they get one and not the other, they can decide how they feel about that afterwards. In the moment, as soon as you play down one thing, it can affect the other.

Forest are a robust team, tough to play against, and they have enough talent to win at home and on the road. Cup games are one-offs but I think they have got enough to be able to reach the Champions League.

Among the players, there will be belief and Nuno Espirito Santo will believe too.

The fans will be a little bit nervous, but they know the team is good enough to be able to do well given what they have done so far this season.

What would mean more to you - winning the FA Cup and the glory of lifting a trophy, or qualifying for the Champions League?

Let us know here

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Nottingham Forest will target 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder James McAtee if City move for their 25-year-old playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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