Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted Nottingham Forest’s trip to face Exeter City in the FA Cup has him “worried”. The Portuguese is wary of the fourth round tie being a potential banana skin for the Reds.

Premier League leaders Liverpool were toppled by bottom-of-the-Championship Plymouth Argyle on Sunday, and Nuno does not want Forest to go the same way when they take on League One opposition.

Nuno’s squad have just returned from a week-long warm-weather training camp in Dubai as they made the most of a gap in the fixture schedule. They know the decision to head abroad could be turned against them should the result not go their way on Tuesday (8pm kick-off).

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“I am worried. It is always that point. The FA Cup allows teams from different leagues to have a chance to compete against each other,” Nuno said ahead of the clash with the Grecians.

“I am looking forward to the aspect that I think it’s a good moment for us as a squad to take advantage of this game by rewarding the players who are working so hard, to give them minutes. At the same time, we will bring everybody that we want to bring to the last games of the competition.

“I look forward to it. But I am always concerned and worried about the game.

“We have already had a chat about the game. What I think is important in these games is to try to find simplicity. Solve the problems in a simple way, because our quality and our talent will show - I hope.”

Forest were able to spend time working on the training ground in Dubai while team bonding exercises were also a big focus. But Nuno knows the success of the trip will be judged by results in the coming weeks.

With table-toppers Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal already out, the Reds are the highest ranked team left in the FA Cup. As they aim to progress in the competition as well as to continue to challenge at the top end of the Premier League table, the message being drilled into the players is that nothing can be taken for granted.

“It was good. The schedule allowed us to have a nice trip, because we had time,” Nuno said of the Dubai training camp.

“At the same time, it was important for us to be together. We had a chance to work in nice facilities and had good training sessions. At the same time we had chance to enjoy ourselves and spend some time together to work on the bonds.

“But now everything is going to be judged tomorrow. Everything we do is going to be related to our training camp, so let’s make sure we make it right.

“Not only in this competition, in any game you cannot take anything for granted. We have been around for long enough to know every game is so difficult.

“In any competition, when you play away from home it is always hard. We expect a tough match at Exeter.

“The results prove that nothing is granted. You have to conquer it. So we have to work very hard tomorrow.”

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