World Cup Hero 'Jonas' To Return

Chris Hughton talking to The Chronicle

“It’s something we hope to tap into, of course. Gutierrez always returns back late from Argentina, and he won’t be back until Friday late afternoon. Obviously, we’re waiting on that one.

But I think he’s a fit individual and he can still feature for us, too. He played on Saturday against Peru and he played last night. If he comes through fine with no problems, then I think we’ll be grateful for the time he had playing for us against Bristol City and QPR. He had been out for a little while. He was involved in the two games, and having come back from the injury, he still wasn’t up to speed with match play. But that’s Jonas – he gets stronger and fitter with each game.

I think it’s been a benefit for us that he has played. It’s always a difficult one – it’s a long flight back, and he doesn’t arrive until Friday, but he’s a very fit individual. And for certain if he’s ready he can make a big, big impact for us at Nottingham Forest.”

Fitness Update

Chris Hughton talking to The Chronicle

"Steven Taylor has a hamstring problem but we're refusing to rule him out and it's the same for Colo. We'll see if we can get him involved with the main group first and get him up and running before we rule him out of Saturday. Zurab is fine and so is Jonas Gutierrez. "Marlon is fine and he was set to train today."

Kevin Nolan Repeats Message

talking to The Chronicle

“We know we’re up against it in every game we play. I heard Ian Holloway saying after Blackpool became the only team to beat us this season, that beating Newcastle was better than being in the Champions League! I find that sort of thing astounding. But that’s what we’re up against. People want to beat us and when people do or even get a draw you can see by the way they celebrate what it means to them.

There are a lot of experienced lads here. They’ve played in the Premier League and they know that each team will give their all against us. Teams won’t hide against us they will come and try to make a name for themselves.

So far we’ve done fantastically well. I’ve said it before, and probably sound like a broken record, but we can’t get carried away. We need to keep plugging away up until Christmas and see where we are from there.

There’s a tight-knit group here and everybody supports each other. We’re all enjoying the football and we are trying to get the fans what they want, which is results. Hopefully, once it all settles down we can also add some fluidity to our play as well.”

Fun Facts

• 105th match between the two clubs Forest vs Newcastle
• 87th in the League Forest vs Newcastle
• United are unbeaten in their last nine league outing against Forest
• Newcastle’s last win at Nottm Forest Season 1998/99 Nottm Forest 1 – 2 Newcastle
• Newcastle’s last defeat at Nottm Forest Season 1986/87 Nottm Forest 2 – 1 Newcastle
• Nottm Forest’s last defeat at Newcastle Season 1998/99 Newcastle 2 – 0 Nottm Forest
• Nottm Forest’s last win at Newcastle Season 1988/89 Newcastle 0 – 1 Nottm Forest
• Automatic Promotion 2008/09 Wolves, 90 points, 80 goals, 10 defeats
• Automatic Promotion 2008/09 Birmingham, 83 points, 54 goals, 9 defeats

Stat Attack

Shola Ameobi (DOB: 12 October 1981, age 28)

• Debut: 9 September 2000 v Chelsea (H)
• Last appearance: 26/8/09 v Huddersfield (sub)
• Last goal: 26/8/09 v Huddersfield
• Under 21 International Caps/Goals:  20/7
• Career Appearances: 153 (104) 55

as at 15th October, 2009