'Amazing' - Bournemouth issued stark Nottingham Forest warning amid huge promotion battle

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder David Prutton says the race to finish second in the Championship is "wide open" and insists nobody should underestimate the Reds.

Steve Cooper's side moved six points behind the second-placed Cherries after beating Birmingham City at the weekend as their sensational form continued. It has left Reds fans dreaming of a return to the top flight for the first time since they were relegated in 1999 in what is sure to be a thrilling climax to the season.

Bournemouth are still in the driving seat, but their form has hardly been convincing having only picked up two wins in their last five games sparking hope that Forest can catch them before the season ends. Both sides still have to play each other in what is one of the standout fixtures of the season and Prutton feels that given how well Forest are playing nobody should write them off from snatching automatic promotion.

"It could be an amazing game that one. Bournemouth should get it done but you can’t underestimate what Forest have done under Steve (Cooper). The second spot is still wide open, for me," Prutton told the Sky Sports EFL podcast.

Prutton's comments come after Sky Sports pundits Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith have backed Nottingham Forest to seal a stunning return to the Premier League.

Warnock and Smith both feel the Reds are destined to return to the top flight as they were asked for their thoughts on the Championship promotion race.

Asked who the three promoted clubs would be, former Liverpool defender Warnock said: "Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United (play-offs)." Former England women striker, Smith retorted: "Oooh. I'd definitely say Fulham and Nottingham Forest and I think Bournemouth."

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