NOTTINGHAM Forest will prove to be one of the promotion contenders in the Championship, insists Hull boss Steve Bruce.
The Tigers will be looking to enhance their own Premier League challenge by claiming three points at the City Ground tomorrow.
But Bruce has told his players they can expect tough opposition as they take on a Sean O'Driscoll side that is still stinging from their midweek defeat at Ipswich.
"They're certainly one of the ten to 12 teams that I'd expect to sustain a challenge right up towards the last few weeks of the season," said the former Manchester United defender.
"I see them as a competitor, no doubt about it.
"You look at the club on paper, new owners, new manager and a strong group of players, you know it's going to be a tough test for us.
"They've got a lot of players there who have played in the Premier League and plenty who are capable of getting back there. They have a very decent squad."
Bruce is also expecting an entertaining game of football, as he tries to install a strong passing ethos in his own side.
The Hull manager admits that he has been impressed by the football Forest have played this season.
"They play a lot of football so it should be a very good game," he said.
"We'll both try and play and that's the way forward for us. Supporters understand that here.
"We've got to go there and take them on because we've shown in the week that our passing game is a match for anyone."
