DANNY Higginbotham is looking forward to the prospect of making his Nottingham Forest debut against former club Derby County this weekend.

The defender joined Forest on loan from Stoke City on transfer deadline day earlier this week and is set to face the Rams in tomorrow's clash at Pride Park.

Higginbotham, 33, has previous experience of this fixture, having played for Derby in a goalless draw at Pride Park in October 2002, shortly before he was sold to Southampton.

"It is a great occasion and a big game," he said. "They are always close matches and there is always a lot of passion involved.

"I have been fortunate enough to play in a few derbies over the years – in the north east and on the south coast – and this is right up there.

"To people outside the area, it probably doesn't seem like such a big thing but for the fans and the players, it is massive.

"It is going to be a great atmosphere and I am looking forward to it."

Higginbotham could have faced the Rams last weekend but was not involved in Stoke's 2-0 FA Cup fourth round victory.