Nottingham Forest have the opportunity to crank the pressure up on their drop rivals.

For the first time in two months Forest play first when they travel to Sunderland on Friday.

The last time they did - the 3-1 defeat at Leeds in February - it was the last knockings of Sean Dyche's reign but there is a different feeling this time.

Four points from the two home games against Aston Villa and Burnley were key and they now have the chance to move eight points clear of the relegation zone.

With four games left after the trip to the Stadium of Light the heat would be on Tottenham and West Ham in the fight to avoid the final relegation spot.

Spurs go to already relegated Wolves on Saturday with West Ham hosting Everton.

Forest cannot afford to pass up the chance of edging further clear in Friday's game in the north east.

Boss Vitor Pereira - who speaks to the media on Thursday afternoon - said after the win over Burley that success can mean different things and survival for Forest would be a success after employing four managers and battling the drop all season.