BURNLEY striker Sam Vokes believes he and Danny Ings can fill the void left by Charlie Austin's departure from Burnley.
Forest were one of several clubs who were keen on signing Austin, who ultimately joined QPR in a move worth close to £4m.
But, while Austin is finding his feet at the London club, Vokes and Ings have been on fire, netting 11 goals between them already.
Wales international Vokes netted his fourth goal of the season on Saturday as Burnley beat Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road to move into second in the Championship.
During his two-year spell at Burnley, Austin scored a goal every other game – but 23-year-old Vokes believes the club can survive without him.
"He was a fantastic goal scorer so there were always going to be questions asked of the other strikers and whether they could step up," he said. "Charlie going meant a chance for me to start playing.
"I like to think we've started off well and I feel like I've got a good partnership with Danny (Ings).
"We've known each other for years and we understand each other's play. Going into every game we feel comfortable.
"It's started off well for us even though in pre-season we didn't play a lot together because Charlie was still here but we seem to have formed a partnership now."
Vokes believes the win at Leeds is proof of how far Burnley have come – but says the Clarets will not be getting carried away just yet.
"It's a fantastic win for us. It's almost a statement I think for everyone else to show what we're about this season," said Vokes.
"It gives you that positive mindset to go into every game knowing we're up that end and we want to stay up there.
"For Ingsy as well it's been a great start for him to get some goals on the board.
"The two of us are just looking forward to every game."
"I've had some good times and it's a good little run I'm on at the moment and I feel positive going into every game." and that can only be a good thing."
Ings in particular has scored in both previous rounds of the Capital One Cup, against York and Preston, and will be hoping to continue that record against Forest tonight.
