Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has vowed to keep using Alan Smith up front rather than in midfield.

The former England international came to prominence as both a striker and as a right-winger during his time at first club Leeds United.

However, he was converted to midfield while he was on the books at Manchester United, where he's largely remained in terms of position since leaving Old Trafford.

Despite his positional reshuffle, former Newcastle United teammate Nolan used him up front in the Checkatrade Trophy win against Everton Under-21s in midweek.

He told the Nottingham Post: “He holds the ball up and he’s got a lovely touch. You can see when he gets into them holes, he can play them through balls fantastically well.

“He’s a great lad, and everybody who knows him around the club knows how much it means to him to play games and I thought on Tuesday night it showed again that he was a big performer.

“I thought him and Jonathan Forte caused Everton a lot of problems. I thought they linked up really well and in certain patches looked really good.

“The goal was a great knock down by Smudge and a great turn and finish by Forte. I was really pleased with their output.”

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Kevin Nolan has revealed that Alan Smith remains a key player of his Notts County setup.

The former England international played in the 2-1 win over Everton Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday, setting up Jonathan Forte for the opening goal.

However, he was left out of the squad for the 2-0 win over Chesterfield, which prompted a talk between the two regarding Smith's future at Meadow Lane.

“We had a bit of a heart to heart at the weekend because I left him out for the Chesterfield game,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“But he knows I am honest and truthful so I told him that he’s still got a major part to play in our team.

“It may not be the part he has always been used to as a player, but it is in the respect of how he carries himself around the ground, in training and when he gets his minutes on the pitch.

“He’s always first class and the reason he can do what he does is because he’s a first class professional."

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Kevin Nolan has revealed that he could try and recruit several Everton academy players on loan after their Under-21s played at Notts County in the Checkatrade Trophy.

The Magpies claimed the win after Jonathan Forte and Haydn Hollis edged them into a comfortable lead, with Anton Donkor's strike proving a mere consolation as the final score was 2-1.

Notts, who have been making the most of the Premier League loan market in recent months, could now take a look at the Toffees youngsters, according to Nolan.

“A lot of them impressed me,” he told the Nottingham Post. “I think there are a few lads in their team who thrived under the pressure of playing in the stadium and the atmosphere they had.

“We’ll have a little look at the video and if there is anyone, I’ll be asking (Everton academy coaches) David Unsworth and Francis Jeffers if anybody is available.

“We’ll swap numbers and I am sure they will drop us a text if they feel anyone can help us.”

Prior to the game, Nolan had said: “I am sure that myself and David Unsworth will have a chat after the game and if anybody is available, he will make us aware of that.

“So if there is somebody who catches our eye at least we can have the conversation face to face because you normally get the best answers that way."

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Pride of Nottingham are delighted to announce our new partnership with Nottinghamshire company Bettabytz Computers.

Based in Mapperley, Bettabytz is a one-stop repair shop which offers a wide range of services aimed at fixing all the important electrical and electronic devices which we could not live without.

Established in 2001 by Notts County fan Kevin Searcey and based on the Mapperley high street since 2009, Bettabytz have invaluable knowledge and experience in repairing desktops, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, TVs and many other household electricals.

Services offered include virus removal, system reinstalling, data recovery, hardware valeting, optimisation, screen repair & replacement, motherboard repair & replacement, and much more.

The great service offered by Bettabytz has led to customers leaving great feedback - a quick look on their website will show you the following comment by Kim Chesters: “Took my laptop to Kev yesterday, all sorted and working again by this morning! What excellent service. Definitely worth keeping that fridge magnet with the telephone number on it!!”

Mark Ryan, meanwhile, said: “Popped in today with a base unit. Called back within a few hours and all fixed and even cleaned - 5-star service! Highly recommended.”

With both PON and Kevin being fully behind the Magpies, proud of their local community and eager to deliver nothing but the best possible service for those who engage with them, the two parties linking up is a no-brainer.

Regarding the partnership, Kevin said: "I'm very happy to come on board with Pride of Nottingham. They've been doing a fantastic job covering Notts over the last couple years, so linking up with them and working together is a great opportunity."

In addition, Bettabytz are currently offering £5 off virus removal and computer reformatting, and £10 off new or refurbished computers over £100, so if you're after either giving your current computer some TLC or getting a new device, this is a great opportunity for you.

PON and Bettabytz are looking ahead to a great 2017/18 season and will be cheering on Notts as they play their way to promotion! COME ON YOU PIES!!!

Bettabytz Computers is located on 625 Woodborough Road, Mapperley, Nottingham, NG3 5QG. To get in touch with Bettabytz Computers, visit their website www.bettabytz.co.uk, email info@bettabytz.co.uk or call 0115 952 2781.

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Kevin Nolan has hailed his Notts County charges for putting in a great performance against Everton Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy.

The Magpies, playing before a crowd of just under 1,500 at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night, took the lead via Jonathan Forte and consolidatedit via Haydn Hollis.

Although Toffees substitute Anton Donkor halved the deficit in the second half, Notts saw the game out to claim a 2-1 win, keeping their momentum going after their 2-0 win over Chesterfield in League Two at the weekend.

Nolan told the official Notts website: "We were really good in the first half. I thought we dominated and were deservedly 2-0 up.

"There was some lovely interlinking play here and there but in the second half, when Everton changed formation to 4-4-2, we didn't get a handle on it as quickly as I would have liked.

"They went a lot more direct and caused a lot of problems.

"Everton are known for bringing through really good youngsters and there are clearly more there based on what we saw out there tonight.

"We knew they would throw everything at us but we stood up to it. The lads responded well and showed resiliency not to concede another goal.

"I am delighted with the outcome from the last couple of games and we are all now looking forward to the Wycombe game at the weekend."

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Kevin Nolan has not ruled out making more additions to his Notts County squad before the transfer window closes this month, but insists he is not targeting a specific position.

The Magpies made 13 signings over the summer, from those expected to be in first-team contention from the off to players earmarked as hot prospects for the future.

Nolan is happy enough with his team, praising owner Alan Hardy for having given him support in the market, but remains open should any particularly good additions crop up - or any injuries to current players.

“We are not actively looking for a certain individual or a certain position,” he told the Nottingham Post.

“Touch wood it doesn’t happen but we could lose a couple of players through injury, then you ask ‘what do we need?’

“So never say never at the minute. I am really delighted with the squad I have been able to assemble and with the backing I’ve had from chairman Alan Hardy in being able to achieve that.

“But if something right comes along then we will probably get it over the line, but, if not, I am really happy with what I already have until the January window.”

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Despite the controversy surrounding the Checkatrade Trophy ahead of Notts County's game with Everton Under-23s, Kevin Nolan insists he wants to go for a win nonetheless to build on the momentum from Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Chesterfield - as well as getting one over on his beloved Liverpool's Merseyside rivals.

The vast majority of people who support teams in the EFL are plotting to boycott the competition due to the Premier League's academy teams entering teams in an EFL competition - seen as many as the big fish of the top flight imposing their will on the smaller divisions.

Nolan, who acknowledged the criticism of the competition, told the Nottingham Post ahead of Tuesday's game at Meadow Lane: “We want as many clean sheets as possible from now until the end of the season because it gives you a great opportunity to win games.

"It also promotes a winning mentality within the group to make sure that we keep getting better and better as the games come thick and fast. We want it to get to a stage where you get that feeling of invincibility when you are out on the pitch.

“They are a good outfit. David Unsworth is somebody I’ve played against a lot during my career and it will be good to see him. I hope to get one over him because it’s Everton isn’t it?! I will have a lot of friends coming to watch too and they are all bluenoses.

“We actually looked at a lot of Everton’s young players in the summer and in the window last January about the potential of bringing them here on loan. A few of them have since gone to higher divisions. But we’ve got quite a bit of info about them and the analyst Jimmy has worked really hard to get as much data on them as possible.

“I know there has been a lot of criticism of the competition because not every team in the Premier League has bought into it. But we have a job to do and we will put a really strong team out against an Everton Under-23s team who won their league last year.

“It is not going to be a rollover. We are taking it seriously so we are hoping to get off to a good start and get into a run of winning games. I am just really looking forward to it, because it’s the first time I’ve been involved with the competition. It presents the most realistic chance of us getting to Wembley and giving the fans a great day out. All we can do is go at it in a positive manner and enjoy it.”

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Jorge Grant has described his headed goal in Saturday's 2-0 win over Chesterfield as a "collector's item" while admitting his Notts County teammates wanted him to take the safe option with his late free kick and playing it into the corner.

The Nottingham Forest loanee came off the bench in the second half and turned the game on its head as the Magpies managed to break the deadlock against a dirty Spireite side and then sealed the win in injury time.

Grant told the official Notts site: "I don't score many headers - I think that might be the first one I've ever scored. I just let the ball hit my head. It's a bit of a collector's item!

"With the free-kick, a few of the lads were telling me to play the ball into the corner but I didn't want to do that so I asked the referee how long was left!

"He said '10 seconds' and I saw the goalkeeper giving me a bit of room and thought 'I can score here' because I have confidence in my own ability. You have to have that and I'm buzzing it went in.

"Any player who comes off the bench needs to prove a point and that's what I went on there to do. Luckily I made an impact to score the two goals.

"All the boys put in a lot of hard work before I came on. We're always talking about keeping clean sheets because it gives us a better chance of winning games.

"There are still bits to work on but it was much better than last week [at Coventry]. Home form is important so hopefully we can get off to a good start now."

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Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has praised Jorge Grant after the loanee came off the bench to bag a brace in a 2-0 win against Chesterfield on Saturday.

The 22-year-old nodded home the opener on the hour in the League Two encounter at Meadow Lane before curling an audacious free kick into the back of the net in injury time.

The performance and result are far removed from the opening-day mess in which the Magpies lost 3-0 at Coventry City and builds on the good display at Scunthorpe United in midweek.

“Jorge is a talent and we worked so hard with him when he was on loan with us last year,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“It’s a credit to him that he wanted to come back and work under us again this season.

“We give him that freedom and confidence to go out and play. When you are given that trust by the manager, the staff and the players, you can produce moments of magic like he did.

“I was delighted with his contribution and his reaction to not being in the starting XI. We took the decision not to play him from the off because he didn’t train on Thursday because of a tight hamstring.

“It was about wrapping him up in cotton wool a little bit and making sure we had that talent on the bench.

“You want those players who don’t start, to show the right type of attitude and I felt that all three of our substitutes contributed to the game.”

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Notts County have unveiled their new home dressing room at Meadow Lane, with owner Alan Hardy claiming it is "befitting a Premier League club" and manager Kevin Nolan describing it as "probably the best dressing room I've ever seen in my career."

On the eve of the Magpies' first home game of the season, against Chesterfield, the club made the announcement and showed off pictures of the changing room, refurbished by Nottingham-based interior design company Paragon.

Nolan told the official Notts website: "It's breathtaking. No stone has been left unturned. It's probably the best dressing room I've ever seen in my career.

"Hats off to Alan. He's really investing in this club and it's about us now making sure we get positive results on the pitch, because we're certainly seeing them off it."

Hardy, meanwhile, added: "We're delighted with the dressing room. It was touch-and-go, but it's what Paragon do. I had no doubt the project would be delivered on time.

"It was important we created a special environment and experience for the players. Everything is flush and feels like it's been properly designed. We're delighted with the overall impact."

In addition, the owner also spoke to the Nottingham Post and said: "I am absolutely delighted with the outcome as I firmly believe it is a dressing room befitting a Premier League club."

Alongside the dressing room refurbishment, Hardy added that the entire stadium has been jet washed this week after they " quite rightly... came in for some criticism after the Forest game."

???? | Introducing our new home dressing room... pic.twitter.com/VfnUERSdXn

— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) 11 August 2017

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Lewis Alessandra admits making the Notts County squad this season will require each player to be at their absolute best because of the competition for places.

Following the Magpies' 3-0 defeat at Coventry City on Saturday, Kevin Nolan made eight changes for the League Cup game at Scunthorpe United.

The new XI yielded a much improved performance which saw the League One Iron pushed all the way to penalties, though the Magpies sadly succumbed 6-5.

Alessandra was one of several players who watched the game from the stands and the winger admits he faces a fight to regain his place in the side.

“It would be tough to change the team after Tuesday because the lads did that well,” he told the Nottingham Post.

“It’s never nice to lose on penalties, but if you’re looking at it as a whole you can’t be too disheartened by the performance.

“We were playing against good opposition and it was a massive improvement from Saturday. Everyone who stepped in was awesome.

“We were disappointed collectively not to go through on the night, but you want that competition for places.

“If you are not pulling your weight or performing too well, there’s a guy behind you wanting to take the shirt off your back.”

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Kevin Nolan has urged his players to ensure Notts County's game against Chesterfield on Saturday does not turn out to be a "basketball match".

The Magpies have played two games so far this season, against Coventry City in League Two and Scunthorpe United in the League Cup, and both of those saw his charges concede three goals.

With the Spireites coming to Meadow Lane at the weekend, Nolan is clear about what he wants from his players.

Though acknowledging Chesterfield have not had a good start to the season either, Nolan is aware they'll be dangerous.

“They (Chesterfield) lost to Grimsby on the opening day and then had a heavy defeat to Sheffield Wednesday,” he told the Nottingham Post.

“But they are a good side and they will come to try to cause us problems.

“Having played against Gary (Caldwell) a few times, he likes to play the game in the right way.

“I am expecting it to be a good spectacle, but I don’t want a basketball match. I want a clean sheet and a win.”

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Pride of Nottingham are delighted to announce that we have sponsored Jonathan Forte's home kit for the 2017/18 season.

The Barbados international is currently in his fourth spell at Notts County, having joined permanently from Oldham Athletic in July 2016.

Prior to that, Forte had been on loan at Notts three times, in 2008 (four games, four goals), 2009 (14 games, four goals) and 2012 (10 games, five goals).

This season, the Sheffield-born striker made his first appearance in the League Cup penalty shootout defeat to Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park, where he impressed up front.

Notts manager Kevin Nolan had revealed prior to the game that he and Forte had a "frank discussion" at the weekend but, following the 120 minutes plus spot kicks at Scunthorpe, he had nothing but good things to say about the 31-year-old.

“He harried them, he created chances for himself as well as others,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“It’s just exactly what I wanted from Forte which was to use what he’s best at. That was using his pace and a good touch to try to get shots off. He did all of it and I thought he was excellent on Tuesday night.

“We had a frank discussion after the Coventry game and a few home truths come out. But he responded in the right way. He proved to me that he wants to be here and fight for his place.

“That’s a great thing for me because he’s putting pressure on Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi which they thought they probably didn’t have on Tuesday night. So I have options and that’s great."

Pride of Nottingham would like to wish Forte all the best for the remainder of the 2017/18 season - COME ON YOU PIES!!!

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Kevin Nolan has admitted that each Notts County player will have others in their position "breathing down their neck" when it comes to squad selection this season.

The Magpies began their season with a 3-0 hammering at Coventry City, but an impressive display at Scunthorpe United in the League Cup in midweek, following eight changes, has given the gaffer food for thought.

Nolan admits he does not know who he will be selecting for Saturday's game against Chesterfield at Meadow Lane, but is happy to know that every player will have to be at the top of their game.

"All the lads are going home not knowing whether or not they will be in the team on Saturday," he told the official club site.

"I don't know my team yet. I'm going to have a meeting with my coaching staff and will have to make tough decisions, but that's what I want.

"There will be 11 lads who will have earned the shirt on Saturday but they have to keep it because they have others breathing down their neck for their position."

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Kevin Nolan has praised midfielder Ryan Yates's contributions in Notts County's League Cup game at Scunthorpe United, suggesting he will go on to do more for the Magpies as the season goes on.

The 19-year-old, who joined last week from Nottingham Forest on loan, impressed at Glanford Park on Tuesday night and weighed in with a goal to make it 3-3 in extra time to take the game to penalties, which Notts sadly lost 6-5.

“His performance showed why we chased him from day one,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“We knew what he had and the quality he possesses.

“He is going to make a massive contribution to us and I am delighted that he has scored his first goal.

“He’s not as fit as he said he was! ...I’m only messing. The two Forest boys Ryan and Jorge Grant did themselves really proud. But it wasn’t just those two, it was everybody.”

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Kevin Nolan has admitted that he will have "some hard decisions to make for Saturday" in terms of team selection for Notts County's home game against Chesterfield in League Two.

The Magpies made eight changes to their starting XI in Tuesday's League Cup game at Scunthorpe United following a poor 3-0 defeat at Coventry City last Saturday.

The much-changed Notts side put in a great display at Glanford Park, taking the lead and then twice pegging the Iron back after falling behind, only succumbing at the death on penalties.

“I’ve got some hard decisions to make for Saturday, but that’s what I want,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“We made eight changes on Tuesday, and I suspect many were thinking ‘oh this is a second team’. It wasn’t. It was a first team who had a lot of games between them.

“That’s why they were able to play the way they did on Tuesday and take on the information so quickly.

“To a man they were absolutely brilliant. Everybody contributed, even the lads who were sat in the stands.

“They got right behind the lads. Everyone did the club proud and I am delighted with that.”

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Kevin Nolan has declared himself proud of Notts County's performance against Scunthorpe United in Tuesday's League Cup first-round clash at Glanford Park.

The Magpies took the lead in the match but went on to fall behind twice, only to peg their opponents back both times for a final score of 3-3 and taking them all the way to penalties.

Only one spot kick was missed - unfortunately it was one from Matt Tootle, which at sudden death, gave the Iron passage to the next round of the competition.

Nolan told the official Notts website: "I never get too high when we win or too low when we lose - but I do get proud when I see a performance like that.

"The lads were really upset with their performance on Saturday but I think we showed, as a squad, what we're about.

"I'm absolutely gutted we didn't make it into the next round. We took a very good League One side all the way to the wire and on another night we could have nicked it.

"It's going to be tough because a lot of the lads have run themselves into the ground. We'll be assessing them. Some will need wrapping up in cotton wool more than others.

"We'll have as many fit and raring to go as we can going into the weekend."

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Kevin Nolan has reassured Notts County fans by saying they will learn from the Coventry City defeat and believes there will not be many more days like Saturday throughout the course of the season.

A Jodi Jones hat-trick saw the Sky Blues run out 3-0 winners over the beleaguered Magpies, who were acknowledged by their manager to have "got it all wrong" on the day.

“Saturday has just brought things back into perspective,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“Coventry have spent a lot of money on players that we couldn’t afford and with the experience they had, they handled the situation a lot better than us. Sometimes you have got to take your hat off and say ‘fair play’.

“One thing that I am trying to teach is that they can get there and they can compete on a weekly basis. I believe that they can compete with any in the league.

“On Saturday we didn’t, but I don’t feel there are going to be too many of those days from now until the end of the season.

“But we will get one and it’s how we react. It’s about learning from the experience we endured on Saturday, making sure we know when to say ‘oh this is another Coventry’ and do the basics.

“There’s a lot to learn and in four or five games we will start to judge.

"You can bring as many players as you want in during pre-season and say how great they’ve done, but you never know the true extent when they cross the line on a Saturday or Tuesday night.

“I do feel I have a great group of lads and a good squad which we can do good things with this year.”

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Kevin Nolan has revealed that he engaged in a "frank discussion" with Jonathan Forte over the weekend in a bid to get a reaction out of him on the pitch.

The 31-year-old forward was left out of the Notts County squad which lost 3-0 at Coventry City at the weekend, but may be given a spot in the team for the League Cup visit to his former club Scunthorpe United on Tuesday.

Nolan did not elaborate on the content of the discussion between himself and Forte, but he suggested that there was an element of clearing the air, and both of them now "feel better".

“It was a frank discussion and it was needed,” the Magpies boss told the Nottingham Post. “I have a lot of respect for Forte as a player and as a person.

“I will always be honest, and I will never shy away from anything if something needs to be said.

“It was great to be able to sit down and have a chat. He feels better about it, I know I certainly do.

“I am hoping I can see a reaction from him and that he stakes his claim for a place in the team on Saturday. The ball is in his court as it is with all the lads.”

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Kevin Nolan has stressed he will not be panicking, or panic buying, after Notts County's heavy loss at Coventry City at the weekend.

A Jodi Jones hat-trick inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the Magpies at the Ricoh Arena, with two of his goals coming in the last 10 minutes.

Notts were blunt in attack, while the defence could have done much better for Jones's goals - implying a potential need for yet more new recruits.

Nolan says he was disappointed with the performance, but maintains he won’t react by spending more money on players just yet.

Asked whether he would be more inclined to make more signings following the loss, he told the Nottingham Post: “I am not getting carried away.

“Okay, it’s not what we wanted but we are not going to start panicking.

“People should know me by now that I don’t get carried away when we are winning and I don’t get carried away when we have lost.

“I will be going away to watch the videos to make sure we are ready for Scunthorpe on Tuesday and then Chesterfield at Meadow Lane next weekend.”

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Kevin Nolan has offered a scathing assessment of Notts County following their opening-day defeat at Coventry City.

The Magpies succumbed to a Jodi Jones hat-trick as the newly-relegated Sky Blues cruised to a 3-0 win at the Ricoh Arena.

For all of County's woes, Nolan admitted that Coventry were simply the better team on the day, doing "the right things at the right times".

“It went wrong from start to finish,” the gaffer told the Nottingham Post.

“We were a bit like rabbits caught in the headlights. They looked more composed and did the right things at the right times.

“They didn’t really do anything spectacular, they just put in behind us and put us under pressure and picked up on the seconds.

“They have a lot of experienced pros in their team and they really showed.

“It’s one for us to sit down, look at them and think ‘these are the benchmark’ in the fact they’ve done all the basics right. That’s why they had the success they did.”

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Notts County have confirmed the signing of midfielder Ryan Yates on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest.

The 19-year-old signs in time to be included in the Magpies squad for the first game of the new League Two season, away at Coventry City.

Yates, who was rumoured to be on the radar of Lincoln City, joins fellow Reds teammate Jorge Grant in penning a loan deal over the river.

He told the official Notts site: "I'm so happy to be here. The manager has been after me for quite a while and I'm delighted it's now over the line.

"I'm full of energy, passion and desire. I like breaking up play and getting box-to-box.

"I've had a good five weeks with the Under 23s at Forest, working really hard with Jack Lester and Gary Brazil. I'm feeling really fit ahead of the new season."

Speaking about his fellow Forest loanee, he said: "I'm good friends with Jorge. We've played quite a few games together so I know how he works.

"Jorge is a top professional and someone I looked up to when I was a scholar at Forest when he was in the 23s and breaking into the first team. He conducts himself as a model pro and that's where I want to get to."

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