Nuno Espirito Santo believes an FA Cup run for Nottingham Forest could boost their efforts to finish in the top four of the Premier League after they squeaked through to the fifth round on penalties.Nuno made 10 changes to the side that had thrashed Brighton 7-0 in Forest's previous league fixture as they set up a fifth-round tie against fellow Premier league side Ipswich.

Nuno Espirito Santo expressed relief after Nottingham Forest avoided a fourth-round FA Cup upset by beating Exeter on penalties.Forest, third in the Premier League and the highest-ranked team left in the FA Cup,

On preparing for the challenge of facing a side lower down the pyramid, Nuno said: "We have to get ready for that [big atmosphere with fans close to the pitch]. In these game it is important to try and to find simplicity and solve the problems in a simple way. Our talent and quality will show I hope."

Nottingham Forest may not have got the striker they were after in the winter transfer window but head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is still confident in the squad he has at his disposal. The priority for the Reds before last Monday’s deadline was to retain their key players. They managed to do that but were unable to strengthen their forward ranks.

Latest Nottingham Forest news as Nuno Espirito Santo's Reds beat Exeter City on penalties in FA Cup fourth round