We are still in a great position, says Hefele

NOTTINGHAM Forest defender Michael Hefele believes his side are “still in a great position” as they prepare to face Derby County.

Forest go into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End at the weekend, a game which ended an unbeaten run which stretched back to their 2-1 loss to Norwich City in October.

Derby’s win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday saw them move up to fourth place in the Sky Bet Championship, while Forest fell out of the play-off places and are now in seventh place, three points behind the Rams.

Should Hefele be involved against Derby next week, it will be his first taste of the East Midlands derby since moving to the City Ground from Huddersfield Town in the summer.

Looking ahead to next Monday’s showdown at Pride Park Stadium, the 28-year-old centre-back says his side have the opportunity to bounce back from the defeat at the weekend.

“You never want to lose, it is never a great feeling but we just have to bounce back next week,” Hefele told the club’s website.

“We knew it was a good opportunity but we didn’t take this chance. But there are plenty of games coming up, the season is long. Today we can be disappointed but from tomorrow we bounce back.

“We are still in a great position. We know that we can win against every opponent and we have a strong squad but this is football.” MASON Mount is relishing the prospect of playing in his first Derby County v Nottingham Forest showdown.

The Rams take on their closest rivals at Pride Park Stadium on Monday night (7.45pm).

Mount is on a season-long loan with Derby from Premier League Chelsea.

The 19-year-old enjoying his first season of senior football in England - and is set for a first experience of the “A52 derby”.

The fixture is always fiercely contested and the fact both sides are pushing for promotion adds extra spice to this season’s opening meeting is Mason Mount