Neighbourly advice for Earnshaw

Jones and 14-goal top scorer Earnshaw lived in the same Nottingham street from when they played at Derby last season.

Earnshaw has scored eight of his 14 goals in the last 12 games and Jones knows they have to keep a close eye on the Welsh international.

He said: "I've got a house in Nottingham and Rob Earnshaw lives around the corner – literally a minute's drive away. Whenever I get a few days off I still go back there.

"I haven't spoken to him for a few weeks, but I'm sure the banter will start tonight! I'm sure he'll be up for it because he's been banging in some goals.

"He's a danger at this level and you'll always see him in the goalscoring charts. He's very quick and sharp around the box – he's a good goalscorer."

Jones has a "take it or leave it" attitude to fickle fans and will ride any hostility he gets as a former Derby player at the City Ground.

He said: "I might get a bit of a hostile reception, but not too much. We never got to play them when I was at Derby because we were never in the same division.

"We were in the Championship and they were in League One and we went up and they stayed where they are.

"There's a big rivalry between Derby and Nottingham and because I live in Nottingham, I've had a few comments from Forest fans.

"But you can't let it get to you because it will start affecting your performance."

Jones was signed by Forest boss Billy Davies and his assistant, former Wolves striker David Kelly, for Preston on loan and Derby.

The 24-year-old schemer reckons Davies, who won promotion through the play-offs against the odds, will lead Forest to survival and more.

He said: "I know all the staff – it will be nice to see them, but hopefully I'll be involved and I can continue the good run of form after picking up again.

"We have to keep winning. "They'll be difficult to play against, especially after getting beat 5-0 at Burnley and that doesn't happen to a Billy Davies team too often.

"I can imagine them wanting to prove something, especially with them down there fighting for survival."

Jones added: "You wouldn't expect to see them down there for long. He's only been there a short time and hasn't had time to put his own stamp on things really in terms of buying players.

"But they've definitely picked up and look as if they're going to win more matches under him.

"Hopefully we'll get the victory but after that, I hope Forest survive and do alright."

Forest are set to hand a debut to young Everton keeper Iain Turner, who arrived on loan yesterday with regular Paul Smith suffering with confidence.

Another loan player, Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne, is out with a groin problem, while ex-Walsall defender Julian Bennett is also sidelined with knee ligament damage.