WANT to show all of Nottingham how much you are in love?

Then the Post's love chair is just the ticket.

Our luxurious red, velvet chaise longue will be at the newly-opened Red Hot World Buffet restaurant in the Cornerhouse today, waiting to welcome loved-up couples.

And photographers will be on hand to capture the moment.

Yesterday, as the chair was moved into its new home, couples couldn't wait to be in the hot seat.

First to be snapped were Rachel Knibbs, 20, and Araluen Batten, 17, both from Sherwood.

The pair were looking forward to celebrating their first Valentine's Day together.

"We've been together for almost a year," said Rachel. "We met through mutual friends at a barbecue. The romantic highlight of our relationship was when Araluen whisked me off to Paris for my birthday – it was a complete surprise.

"For Valentine's Day we'll be spending the weekend in a hotel in York."

Radio DJs Dino and Pete joined the Post's runaway bride Siobhan Gillespie to meet couples trying out the chair yesterday.

Among them were Philip and Claire Thorpe, both 27, from Aspley, who married in 2008.

The pair, who have two children, aged two and one, met at school and were firm friends before getting together six years ago.

Claire said: "There's always been something there – I gave in eventually! We are having our Valentine's night out now because it's the only time we could get a babysitter but he's going to cook for me next week.

"We saw the chair and thought it would be nice to get a photo as we don't come out that much."

Ryan Townsend and Cassie Bridge, both 19, from Hucknall, have been together six months, also tried out the chair. They met on a night out with mutual friends.

"I went to Ibiza the next day but all I thought about was him and we got together when I got back," said Cassie.

"He took me to Paris two weeks ago and bought me an Eiffel Tower charm for my bracelet."

TEACHERS in Nottingham are to strike again over controversial term time changes.

The National Union of Teachers, which has nearly 500 members in the city, could call the strike within the next four weeks.

And the strikes could last for more than one day. A series of one-day strikes last year left thousands of children unable to go to school.

The city council is changing term times in September, saying it will benefit pupils. The union, however, believes it will have a detrimental impact and hopes to force a change.

Nearly three-quarters of NUT members said they would strike when balloted.

The decision over the timing of the action rests with the union's national branch, but Susi Artis, assistant secretary in Nottingham, expected it to be sooner rather than later.

She said: "We are still waiting to make a final decision, but there could be action in three to four weeks."

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers is weighing up whether to strike, while the largest union, the NASUWT, has no plans to.

The term change will see the six-week summer break cut to five and a two-week break introduced in October. There will also be a fixed break at the end of the spring term.

The unions fear this will cause problems because the county is sticking with the longer summer holiday.

Strikes last year closed 15 city schools and disrupted lessons at 40 others. Becky Humber, who has three children at Glenbrook Primary in Bilborough, called for an end to the dispute. "It's gone on long enough now."

A DEALER was caught with drugs worth hundreds of pounds after he tried to walk away from a police sniffer dog in Nottingham's Old Market Square.

Officers became suspicious after Liam Nichols spotted their dog and began walking quickly in the opposite direction.

They caught up with him in Beastmarket Hill and, when searched, he was found to have six bags of cannabis on him.

Nottingham Crown Court heard yesterday that Nichols' 153 gram stash would have had a street value of between £900 and £1,500.

Nichols, 30, of Grindon Crescent, Bulwell, was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work after he admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply on March 28 last year.

Judge Peter Barrie said he decided to suspend the sentence after he heard how Nichols, who uses cannabis, has a nine-year-old daughter.

He said: "You know that you were found in possession of a substantial quantity of cannabis and you have recognised realistically that you should be dealt with on the purpose of supply to other users.

"Those are serious matters, particularly for someone who has fairly recent convictions in relation to possession of drugs.

"I take into account the responsibilities you have toward your daughter."

Jim Metcalf, prosecuting, said: "When interviewed, Nichols said he was given the drugs shortly beforehand and he was merely a custodian.

"His phone was examined and it indicated the drugs were his and he was involved in the supply."

Text messages were found that revealed he was involved in dealing.

He has previous convictions for possessing heroin, crack cocaine and amphetamine.

Judge Barrie said he was disappointed in the probation report which revealed Nichols had not yet shown he was able to live a drug-free lifestyle.

However, he added: "You have a good employment record and are hoping to get work for a construction company."

Michael Evans said, in mitigation, that Nichols was trying to reduce his cannabis use.

He said that his client deserved credit for his plea of guilty and had not reoffended since the offence in March.

KEEPING Nottingham safe is an expensive business – and money is tighter than ever.

People in Notts will be asked again to dip into their pockets for policing, this time to help pay for 150 new bobbies on the beat over the next year.

On Wednesday it was confirmed the police part of the council tax bill will go up – this time by 1.95 per cent.

This means the average Band D home will be paying an extra £3.24 for policing for the year from April. But the cash the force gets from council tax bills is still only 25 per cent of its income – £48.6 million.

The overall £196.9 million annual bill has been rubber-stamped in a climate of funding cuts, complex Government grants and fierce debate over what resources the police really need to fight crime.

The total was also the first budget put together by Paddy Tipping - the new Notts Police and Crime Commissioner elected in November. Having replaced the now-scrapped Notts Police Authority, he controls the purse strings of policing in the city and county.

And thanks to continuing Government cuts, he says, we're not exactly flush.

"It's tight – but we've been able to move things around and put extra resources in to the extra 150 officers," he said. "But it means we've got to make significant savings elsewhere."

Before his arrival, the force had already sold off police stations, closed the mounted section, and used a rule called A19 to force more than 100 officers to retire.

Mr Tipping warned there's more to come – with the force still battling to save a total of £42.3 million from their spending by 2015.

Mr Tipping said: "I think we are going to have to look again at the estate – and it's clear we've got to make savings on the fleet (of vehicles). If you talk to beat officers they will say 'we've not got enough access to cars' but perhaps that's because we've got cars in the wrong places some times."

Mr Tipping's first budget was approved by the Notts Police and Crime Panel on Wednesday at County Hall.

The new body, made up of councillors and independents from across Notts, is in charge of making sure Mr Tipping keeps the force on an even keel – be it balancing the books or locking up criminals.

Panel chairman John Clarke, also a former member of the Police Authority, said: "The continuous underspends by the force are not acceptable – but we have to recognise he (Mr Tipping) has only just come in. From next year is when the pressure will really start to build.

"We left him with a very significant amount of money and he's been able to bring in the extra officers."

Of the new panel-commissioner system, he added: "It's a bit early to judge yet but I'm not that impressed at the moment. The panel seems very much the Police Authority mark II."

Chief Constable Chris Eyre, himself only in the top job permanently since August, said: "Mr Tipping is working with us and setting challenging objectives about how we can drive improvements in our communities."

Of the current funding situation, he said: "I think if you were to talk to officers and staff they will tell you they are working incredibly hard – we need to build more numbers in policing."

What do you think the priorities are for police spending? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

DANCE lovers were left in a spin after celebrity judge, Craig Revel Horwood visited their club.

The Strictly Come Dancing bad guy visited the tea dance club at the Sherwood Community Centre and watched members perform one of his own routines before awarding them a very rare ten out of ten.

The group has around 60 members with ages ranging from 50 to 92 and offers a mixture of sequence dancing, ballroom dancing and some line dancing, which suits those who don't have a regular partner.

Craig said: "It's fantastic. I really love coming to local community centres to meet real people who are fans of the show and enjoy dancing.

"Strictly has really enlightened people and inspired them to get up and have a dance."

He added: "I felt like I was a rock star walking in with screaming fans. It was great and good fun and it gives them pleasure.

"Strictly is one of the biggest shows and it is nice to spread that around."

Margaret Howe, of Sycamore Rise, Cinderhill said it was enjoyable to meet the television star.

The 72-year-old, who regularly dances with her husband, added: "I've been a big admirer over the years. Dancing is my passion.

"I loved it – it was fabulous. Tonight when I'm dancing with my husband, guess who I'll think of!

"He's not at all like you would think off the TV – he looks a lot younger."

The club is organised by Mick and Moira Holmes.

Moira said: "We want to get as many people as possible active and dancing. "Dancing is a great way of exercising – it's fun, it keeps you fit, improves balance and really does help to keep your bones healthy."

Beth Holland, who has been dancing for years, had a quick waltz with Craig.

The 75-year-old of Saltburn Road, Beechdale said: "It feels wonderful, he's fantastic. It was magic.

"He's slim and better looking than on TV – he's got the wow factor. I've danced all my life. You meet people and it keeps you fit."

The group is run by the Nottingham branch of the National Osteoporosis Society and meets every Thursday from 1.30pm to 4pm at the centre in Mansfield Road.

Craig has been a patron of the National Osteoporosis Society since 2009 and created the Boogie For Your Bones dance, which the club performed yesterday, in 2008 to get people of all ages dancing.

To find out more, contact Katie Hall on 01543 415482.

A TODDLER who had a 5cm tumour on his prostate which stopped him urinating has made a miraculous recovery thanks to an international drugs trial.

Ollie Lee's future appeared uncertain just over a year ago, but the drug Avastin has seen him overcome the disease.

His parents were initially told by medics their little boy had constipation. But first-time mum Sophie Maloney, of Bingham, told doctors at the Queen's Medical Centre she was sure it was something more sinister.

An MRI scan revealed she was right. Little Ollie, three, didn't just have a large tumour on his prostate, but also several others – one on his rib another on his spine and one on his left thigh.

Sophie, 38, said: "Our whole world fell apart, I can still remember the consultant telling us the news. It was awful."

The tumours were diagnosed as rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of soft tissue sarcoma – a cancer that starts in muscles.

Ollie received his diagnosis in November 2011. On average there are only around 60 cases of this type of tumour in the UK each year.

From that moment, mum Sophie and dad Simon Lee braced themselves for a traumatic year.

Ollie became a familiar figure at Nottingham Children's Hospital's E38 ward, and endured more than 30 general anaesthetics. But just when Sophie and Simon thought their luck was out, Ollie was accepted for international research into Avastin.

"We knew there was not a lot known about this drug, but we thought it was worth a shot," said Sophie, of Cherwell Gardens.

Ollie went through nine cycles of intensive chemotherapy and the new cancer drug eradicated most the tumours in his body and reduced the one on his prostate down to 1cm.

Further focused radiotherapy saw that cancer disappear and on January 24 Ollie was given the all-clear.

"It's nothing short of a miracle," said Sophie.

His consultant Professor David Walker said: "The results of the drug are yet to be collated, but Oliver was able to reap the benefits of being part of that research.

"The Government invested heavily into research so that cancer sufferers have the best opportunity to have the best cancer drugs available."

Cancer Research UK have awarded Ollie with a Little Star award. The awards acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters who encounter cancer and raise vital funds for research into the disease.

THE Billy Davies effect should inspire Nottingham Forest's players to victory at Bristol City tomorrow.

The return of the Scotsman for a second spell in charge at the City Ground has inspired a positive response among supporters.

But, while the majority of fans have welcomed the man who took Forest to consecutive top-six finishes back with open arms, caretaker manager Rob Kelly believes it should also be a lift to the players.

Six of the current squad were at the club when Davies was last in charge, before his departure in the summer of 2011.

But Kelly believes the entire squad will have a point to prove to the new boss, who will watch from the stands when the Reds take on Sean O'Driscoll's Bristol City tomorrow.

"The players have a new manager to impress, they will want to be catching his eye," said Kelly.

"That will be an added motivation. But just three points alone should be enough motivation.

"We want to win and we want to put on a performance.

"We are still within touching distance of the top six, that is a motivation, but so should the desire to impress the new manager."

Since his departure, after two-and-a-half seasons at the club, Davies has always maintained he has unfinished business at the City Ground.

And he repeated that message when he was unveiled as the new manager yesterday.

"It is a privilege and an honour to be back in charge of the Reds," he said. "My tenure at the City Ground was cut short last time and I can't wait to get my boots back on and training the lads.

"We have a great squad and I know I can get the best from them. Coming home to Forest is a dream come true.

"I have unfinished business here at Forest and am relishing this great opportunity to return Forest to its former glory."

The trio of players who have recently signed new, long-term deals – Dexter Blackstock, Chris Cohen and Radi Majewski – all played under Davies previously, as did Lewis McGugan and Guy Moussi.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, meanwhile, was coming through the ranks when the former Preston and Derby boss was at the helm.

Davies is not the only familiar face to return, with Ned Kelly returning as deputy manager and Julian Darby and Pete Williams also rejoining the coaching staff.

Davies' first match in charge will be the visit of Bolton in eight days time.

POLICE have charged three people with murder after a body was found on farmland in Everton, north Nottinghamshire.

Angela Dowling, 47, of Windmill Avenue, South Yorkshire, 31 year old Stephen Schofield, of the same address, and Matthew Duffy, 22, of Sussex Street, Doncaster, were arrested this week after the body of a man was found at the weekend.

They will appear before magistrates in Mansfield this morning.

Two other people previously arrested in connection with the death have been released without charge.

THERE can be few occasions in football where one of the chief protagonists in a football match, offering the instructions from the dug-out, is overshadowed by a man sat in the stands.

But, for Rob Kelly, it is a role he is becoming accustomed to.

While much of the attention at Ashton Gate on Saturday will be focused on the return of the fans' messiah, Billy Davies, it will be Kelly's job to secure three points on an afternoon when the plot could hardly have had more twists.

Just days after the departure of Alex McLeish, Forest come up against the man he had replaced, in the form of new Robins boss Sean O'Driscoll.

So Kelly finds himself trying to get one over on his former boss, while his new boss watches on from the stands.

Confused? Thankfully, Kelly has a clearly defined view of the situation.

And he says that, regardless of what is going off in the periphery, his only focus is on helping Forest to produce a performance on the pitch.

Equally, he believes O'Driscoll will be maintaining the same mentality in the home dug-out.

"I do get on well with Sean, he was really great to work with," said Kelly. "He is a good guy, really straight and I enjoyed working with him.

"Not because it is Nottingham Forest, he will be desperate to win.

"But so will we, because there are 16 games left for us to try to get into the play-offs.

"He knows our players, but it is not a battle between me and Sean O'Driscoll.

"I am sure Sean won't see it that way either, because he is not like that. He does not work that way, he is a balanced human being.

"Of course he will want to win, because he has worked here.

"He will want to do well against his former club. But he will also see the bigger picture.

"The background to this will not be at the front of his mind.

"Perhaps, afterwards, if they have played well and got the right result for them, he might think that way while he has a glass of wine.

"It is not about individuals, it is about Nottingham Forest against Bristol City and two sides who need points for very different reasons."

Kelly will have an idea of the kind of opposition Forest will face, having worked under O'Driscoll throughout his tenure at the City Ground.

"Sean will be organised. He knows the division, he understands the division and he has had a couple of good wins since going there.

"It is a tough place to go anyway, but it will be even tougher on Saturday. Sean is also flexible, he has more than one way of doing things, tactically.

"There are a few familiar faces in their side who will be keen to do well. That will add something, of course.

"But I would be devastated if we were not as motivated as them.

"We want to get into the top six, into the play-offs. There will be no lack of motivation."

Kelly says the goal for Forest is simple. Regardless of the unrest off the pitch, there is still the possibility they could make the play-offs, even if a significant turnaround in form is required.

"There are 16 games left. This is a momentum division," he said.

"If you can get momentum, if you can get in the play-offs, then it is the team who is on a roll that tends to do well.

"Look at Blackpool, who sneaked into the top six at the last minute, then won here.

"They came with a real good run towards the end and got up there.

"There will be a team in the division who do that this season. We have to try to be that team."

It is a tough position for Kelly, who finds himself in the top job tomorrow – but uncertain of whether he will still have one in the longer term. It is the nature of football that, when a new manager comes in, changes are normally made to the backroom staff.

But Kelly says change is merely part of the transient nature of the game.

"It is a cruel business, football. But it is what you come into," he said. "So don't bleat and moan about it, because that is the game.

"In football, the one thing you know, is that there will be change, both with players going in and out and with managers as well.

"You don't expect managers to be in situ for years and years any more. It is unusual for that to happen. Players and staff know that there will be change and they get used to it.

"I was surprised how things panned out with him (McLeish). But we have to move on and get ready for a game on Saturday.

"I have not seen a season like this before. It has been different, put it that way.

"But players are resilient. They will get through situations like this.

"Most of them will just be happy to get another game. That is the important thing for them, to get back out on the pitch."

But will Kelly enjoy his time as the top man in the dug-out?

His answer is also straight forward. No.

"You don't enjoy it, because it means somebody has lost their job," he said. "I come from a working background, so that is not a good thing.

"It is something you do; that you get on with. But do you enjoy it? No, you probably don't.

"But it is not about me, it is about the players and putting on a performance for the supporters to enjoy; hopefully a performance that will secure us three points.

"As long as we can do that, I will be happy."

And there will be one man looking on from the stands who will be equally pleased.

LINDON Meikle arrived back in Mansfield following another international appearance.

It ended in defeat, but England 'C' put up a good performance in front of a big crowd as they lost to Turkey at Dartford on Tuesday night.

Meikle again played the full 90 minutes and the winger was buzzing afterwards.

His club manager Paul Cox and his wife had made the long trip to watch the game, as had chairman John Radford and his wife and chief executive Carolyn.

But despite playing on that stage, Meikle is fighting demons of his own now back in north Nottinghamshire.

The former Eastwood star is struggling with a lack of confidence and in an honest and frank confession, he says he must improve.

After a superb debut season last time out, after making the step up, he feels he has fallen well below his own high standards.

And, last Saturday, he was taken off at half-time with the Stags 1-0 up against Dartford at the One Call Stadium.

Louis Briscoe replaced him and he went on to help Mansfield romp to a 5-0 win.

As they prepare to entertain Barrow, Meikle said: "I do not expect to start against Barrow, I am expecting to be on the bench. Louis came on at half-time, worked really hard and we won 5-0 – what more can I say. I want to be playing but I don't expect to start.

"I am lacking in a bit of confidence, well, quite a lot to be honest so going away with England has helped to bring it up a little. When I do get a chance again I want to take it.

"I would say I have been lacking confidence all season and I would struggle to pick out a game where I could say I played really well.

"I know myself I have not played anywhere near my best this season compared to last season. It is going through my head all the time and I have to work on it.

"This season, I am thinking about things too much. Last season, I just got on the ball and did things and now I am thinking too much and when I do that it leads to mistakes and starts getting on top of me.

"I am just frustrated with myself and it plays on my mind and my last couple of games have not been the best and it shows.

"I am a confidence player and I need to get it back up there and do it for myself and the team.

"Hopefully this time of year is when I can come good. I have been there before and I need to get myself out of it."

While Meikle is suffering his dip, Mansfield have emerged as the form team in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

They have closed the gap to the play-offs to three points, winning six of their last eight matches and will hope to add to that tomorrow against struggling Barrow, ahead of a trip to Newport.

But once he does get the nod, 24-year-old Meikle hopes it can all turn around quickly for him.

"On the up side the team is doing really well and is on the way up so as long as we are winning, that is the main thing," said Meikle.

"I just need to be doing better myself.

"It could just take a couple of games. If I get on the ball a lot then I can soon be flying – a player on toast as we say in football.

"That would follow on into another game and it will lead to a streak of good games. That might come soon.

"I need to act on impulse. I am an instinctive player and hopefully it will come back to me.

"The manager always has faith is us as individuals and as a team. He always tells us how good we are and that helps."

The run out with the Three Lions on his chest has perked Meikle up a little.

And, while it might be from the bench, Meikle will hope he can produce a performance that can help inspire him back to his confident best.

DURING his time as Nottingham Forest manager, Sean O'Driscoll was never one to get tied up in the emotions of football.

So it should come as no surprise that revenge is not exactly at the top of his agenda tomorrow.

Even O'Driscoll cannot completely overlook the intrigue surrounding a fixture against the club that sacked him on Boxing Day, who have just appointed Billy Davies to fill the void left by Alex McLeish, who lasted only 41 days in the role, after replacing O'Driscoll.

But he insists his only priority is to secure the win City need to claw themselves a little closer to safety in the Championship.

"It is just another game and it has to be that way given the position we are in," said O'Driscoll.

"I cannot get emotionally involved in what has gone on at Nottingham Forest in the past.

"If I'm honest, I have enough problems getting my own team ready for Saturday. How can I be more worried about Forest than I am my own team?"

O'Driscoll says he is not surprised to see another change at the City Ground.

"Nothing surprises me in football anymore," he said.

"Football is like a bubble and, in many ways, it is detached from the rest of life."

O'Driscoll says his priorities have not changed, despite the fact he has swapped a promotion push with Forest for a fight against relegation.

"Winning football matches is the conundrum everybody has to solve. The only certainty in English football is that you will lose matches," he said.

"But you cannot, whenever you lose a football match, tear up the paper and start again with something else.

"You have to say 'this is the way we have to build, this is the way we have to do things' and try and be as consistent as you can.

"The biggest thing missing in a lot of clubs is the ability to communicate that to everybody."

The man who died after being struck by a lorry in Sherwood has been named.
Lachhman Johal, from Lowdham, was struck by a lorry in Mansfield Road, near the junction with Winchester Street, just before 2.30pm on Tuesday.
The 88-year-old died at the scene.
No one else was injured.
The road was closed in both directions, between its junctions with Edwards Lane and Haydn Road. It re-opened at around 6.15pm that day.
If you saw the incident or have any information contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 429 of 5 February 2013, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NOTTINGHAM Panthers defenceman Stevie Lee says Great Britain have many reasons to be proud despite their 6-2 defeat by Latvia in their opening game at the Olympic final qualifiers.

GB stayed with their Latvian hosts for half the game and had only a two-goal deficit at the end of the second period.

But Latvia's superior skills told in the end, helped by three powerplay goals.

Lee said: "We gave it our all and I think we certainly shocked them for a while.

"We can be proud of our performance but we are disappointed at the same time, as things could have been better.

"But we can take heart from what we did and take that into the game against France today.

"There's still plenty of hockey to be played in this tournament and we are up for the challenges in the next two matches."

Two 17-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with a robbery at a Ling Forest Newsagents, Ling Forest Court, in Mansfield.
The shopkeeper was assaulted during the raid which was carried out by two offenders just before 1pm on Tuesday.
They then fled with cigarettes and alcohol.
The shopkeeper suffered minor injuries and was shaken. No one else was injured.
The arrested pair remain in police custody, where they will be questioned by detectives today.

STEADY now... Nottingham has been renamed "Hottingham" after its first place ranking for the number of erotic novel readers per capita.

It seems everyone's dipping into the saucy stuff as, according to a survey, three times the amount of Nottingham people are buying erotic books than those in cities such as Newcastle, Cardiff or Liverpool.

It used to be that misery memoirs, or celebrity biographies were the popular choice. Now though, readers are heading for sleazy street – reading a risque volume such as 50 Shades of Grey and re-kindling their desires via their e-readers.

Well, Notts is the home of DH Lawrence after all – scandalous literature is our heritage.

The smutty stories I've read are largely the set of 1960s pulp fiction I bought at a Colwick car boot sale (£2.50 the lot!)

Purely for research, I read a few modern comparisons and my verdict – they're unintentionally hilarious.

Just as Eskimos supposedly have 50 words for snow, when it comes to terms for the anatomy and romantic entanglements, we have 50 shades of wa-hey!

The vocabulary to describe such things is rich and vividly descriptive. And more often than not, rip-roaringly funny.

Actually, I think these books are the truest account of romance. Have you ever tried to say something heartfelt, yet made it sound chuckle-worthy instead? Awkward...

While there's nothing wrong with making 'em laugh, it might not be the reaction you were after. Particularly if you're in a state of undress.

Another survey featured in the Post, this time from the Government and a reading charity, says reading can be good for your health, alleviating anxiety or depression.

On that note, the impending Valentine's Day can be a trigger for feelings of despair.

Not just at the heart-stopping price of flowers and chocolates, but also at the feeling everyone else is all loved up. Trust me, they're not. And those who are, are too busy to write about it.

So feel at liberty to ignore all those couples who talk to each other over Facebook thus: "I wuv wu, Mister Snuggles").

If you're on your own this Valentine's Day, a speed-read through some sultry, literary stinkers should be enough to put you right off.

There's some corkers out there – a few even winning awards for their awfulness and cringe-worthy imagery.

Perhaps though, the greatest love story ever told is being played out before our eyes at Nottingham Forest.

It's a tale of fond reunions and unfinished business, all set against a backdrop of the most romantic colour of all – red.

Are you sitting comfortably? Here's an excerpt...

The Enchanted Forest: The Lust to Win:

The new manager strode purposefully into his office. He'd been here before.

"This time, it's for keeps," he growled, luxuriating in the majestic leather chair, an envelope laying wantonly on the walnut desk before him.

Firmly grasping the sleek letter opener, he released the missive from its lavender-scented vellum. Biting his lip, he pored over the words that came breathlessly tumbling out:

"Come on you Reds,

You're no longer blue,

Now Billy is here,

With glory for you."

Don't miss this sizzling drama ... 50 Shades of Grey V-neck Jumpers: the Billy Davies Story, is out now.

MANCHESTER United young gun John Cofie is set to make his Notts County debut today – and he said: "I'm here to fire the club into the play-offs."

The 20-year-old striker has joined the Magpies on a one-month loan from Old Trafford and will be unleashed on Crewe Alexandra at Meadow Lane (3pm).

And Notts caretaker boss Chris Kiwomya has also revealed he is trying to bolster the club's strike-force even more by signing another attacker.

The Magpies are five points outside the play-offs in League One in tenth place and Cofie says he is ready to handle the pressure of firing them back into the top-six.

"I'm a striker and it's my job to score goals so I'm here to try and do that – hopefully I will get as many goals as I can and help the club get into the play-offs," he said.

"It's a month loan for now, but hopefully I can extend that depending on how it goes."

Kiwomya expects the youngster to make a big impact.

"John is a very explosive player," he said.

"He's very quick and he gives us another dimension in the final third."

BILLY Davies is convinced he will be backed as he looks to make his second spell at Nottingham Forest a success.

The Reds boss believes chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi has already demonstrated his willingness to back his managers.

And, as he becomes the fourth man to take the hotseat since July, Davies is convinced he will receive the same level of backing.

The Scotsman has already held extensive talks with Al Hasawi over the future of the club.

And Davies said: "When this opportunity came up and we sat down and chatted, I was very impressed with the chairman.

"I was very impressed with what he had to say and his ambition for the future.

"You have to give the man great credit for the ambition he has shown already.

"He has put his hand in his pocket, he has backed the managers in the past.

"I think Forest have brought in something like 14 players.

"He has shown he will back people."

Davies twice steered Forest into the play-offs during his first spell in charge, which ended 18 months ago when he was sacked by the previous regime.

And his immediate goal will be another top-six finish, as he looks to address the 'unfinished business' he says he has left over from his first spell in charge.

But, at the same time, Davies says he has been put under no pressure by the club's new owners.

"There is no pressure, the chairman knows there are 16 games to go and he has asked me to do the best I can to take the club forward," he said. "There are lots of points to play for, lots of positions to play for and anything is possible.

"Am I surprised to be back? I am never surprised about anything, because this is the business we're in."

Davies will not take charge of the side today, as the Reds face former manager Sean O'Driscoll's Bristol City side at Ashton Gate.

Instead, Forest will be managed by caretaker boss Rob Kelly, with Davies' first game set to be the visit of Bolton in seven days.