Boss Steve Cooper says the planned redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s training ground is a “show of ambition” by owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Plans to improve the facilities at the Nigel Doughty Academy have this week been given the green light by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
The project includes a new two-storey building which will house 14 changing rooms, three classrooms, a gym, physio room, analysis suite, a guest parents’ lounge and canteen facilities, plus additional on-site car parking.
Cooper believes the ambitious scheme demonstrates how the club are looking to raise standards as they continue to target promotion to the Premier League.
Keeper dilemma
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says the attitude of those players not seeing regular game time is a “real strength” of the group.
It comes as he has a selection dilemma over who should play in goal, with Ethan Horvath having taken his chance to impress.
The summer signing got an opportunity while Brice Samba was suspended for three games, and kept his place for Monday night’s FA Cup triumph over Huddersfield Town.
Cooper remains coy about whether that means there has been a longer-term change over his first-choice goalkeeper. But he has praised the work ethic of all of those who are fighting for a place in the team.
Duo sign
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the signings of young midfielders Ethan Hull and Bobby Jack McAleese.
The duo have joined from Manchester United and Coleraine respectively.
Winger Hull puts pen to paper after being released by United last summer, while Northern Ireland under-17 international McAleese follows the likes of Aaron Donnelly, Dale Taylor and Jamie McDonnell in joining Forest from Northern Ireland.
"We’re always on the lookout to add quality players to an already very strong group and we see both players as exciting projects for the future," under-18s boss Warren Joyce told the club website.
Superb support
Striker Sam Surridge believes the “amazing” City Ground support can give Nottingham Forest an edge in a crucial few weeks of the season.
The Reds are continuing to fight on two fronts, still pushing for the play-offs and having progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
They are on a run of four successive home games, with Reading the visitors on Saturday - in front of a sell-out crowd - followed by QPR and then Liverpool.
Surridge has revelled in the atmosphere generated on the banks of the Trent since signing from Stoke City in January, and hopes that can give Forest an extra push in crunch clashes coming up.
