NOTTINGHAM Forest's play-off hopes will be boosted – by Paul Ince's fierce will to win.
The Reds desperately need Ince's Blackpool side to do them a favour by beating play-off rivals Bolton on Saturday – or for Peterborough to win at Crystal Palace.
And, while the Tangerines are now safe from the threat of relegation in the Championship, Garry Birtles believes Forest can rely on them to give their all – because of the man at the helm.
Forest legend Birtles is convinced the former England captain will have his players fired up for what is a local derby.
And he says Forest must merely focus on completing their side of the bargain – by coming out on top when they face their own East Midlands rivals Leicester City.
Then they can worry about whether Peterborough or Blackpool have done them a favour.
"Billy does not need to pick up the phone and talk to Paul Ince to ask him to make sure his lads are up for it, that would be a wasted phone call," said Birtles. "But Billy would know that.
"He would know that Ince is the sort of character who would be upset if anyone felt the need to call him and ask him to be professional – because that is his basic driving force.
"Ince has always been a man who likes to win. If there are any of his players who are already on holiday, mentally speaking, I am sure they will not be in his side on Saturday afternoon.
"It is a local derby and there is pride at stake. Blackpool may be safe, but there are numerous reasons why they should want to win, beyond even pride."
Birtles believes many of Blackpool's squad will still be playing to secure their own futures at the club.
While he is also encouraged by the fact that Peterborough still need to win if they are to avoid the drop into League One.
"Ince himself is still getting his feet under the table, he has not been at the club for a huge amount of time," he said.
"He is also still trying to win over a few fans who might have been sceptical about his appointment in the first place.
"And, from a player's point of view, they need to be motivated as well – because Ince will be making some big decisions about his squad over the summer.
"If he sees anyone slacking off now, or not giving their all in the final game of the season, it might mean they do not get a new contract or that they are slapped on the transfer list."
Birtles hopes Forest can complete their part of the bargain by beating Leicester – while relying on Blackpool to dent Bolton's hopes or Peterborough to claim three points at Selhurst Park.
"Forest need Blackpool to do them a favour. But that will not be their motivation," he said.
"We all hope that Blackpool can pull off what would be a surprise win; we are all keeping our fingers crossed that it happens.
"While Peterborough need to win if they are to avoid relegation, so they are not going to be needing any kind of pep talk. Forest just need to focus on doing what they need to do."
