Football: Forest ready to bounce back

Nottingham Forest have been told to concentrate on their Premiership aspirations, rather than dwelling on their 3-0 defeat by Sunderland in midweek.

Dave Bassett, the Forest manager, said yesterday: "The Sunderland game was a big disappointment, but we're still top of the table and remain on course for promotion. It's important we bounce back against Crewe."

Meanwhile, his opposite number at Crewe, Dario Gradi, has warned his team that no one can be sure of their position. "At the moment the goals are not coming and I may have to tinker with the side," Gradi said, hinting that striker Steve Anthrobus could be dropped for the match at Gresty Road.

Peter Reid also refuses to rest on his laurels after Sunderland's win at Forest. Stockport will provide tough opposition at the Stadium of Light and the Sunderland manager said: "I watched Stockport score five goals against Reading in midweek and they looked a very good side and the three players who scored the goals - Brett Angell, Chris Byrne and Steve Grant - are all former Sunderland players."

A goalless draw looks highly unlikely at Portman Road where free-scoring Ipswich entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Charlton - the League's top scorers. Town are unbeaten in the League since Boxing Day.

Manchester City, fresh from a 3-1 win at Huddersfield on Tuesday, have been told by their manager, Joe Royle, not to expect fellow strugglers Oxford United to roll over at Maine Road. "Oxford are fighting for their survival," Royle said. "We have to win at home but it would be dangerous for people to expect us to win. We have to work for it."

Reading entertain bottom-placed Port Vale in the first of three vital home games against relegation-threatened sides.