Sky Bet Championship: Henri Lansbury believes Stuart Pearce can lift Nottingham Forest

Former England Under 21 coach Pearceagreed to take charge of the club last week following the sacking of Billy Davies.

However, Gary Brazil will remain in control until the end of the season as Pearce fulfils media commitments at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

However, Lansbury believes the arrival of Pearce, who spent 12 years at the City Ground as a player, will bring a new lease of life for play-off-chasing Forest.

"The lads are looking forward to Stuart coming in, it will be a fresh start for everyone," he told the Daily Star.

"At the moment we are still trying to nick a play-off spot so hopefully there will be a bit of momentum for when Stuart comes in.

"He's a great man manager and he's a legend here so hopefully, he will get the best out the players."

High regard

Lansbury worked with Pearce during his term as England Under 21 coach and expects his reputation at the club already gives him a head start.

"The fact that he is held in such high regard here by the fans I think is a plus," he added.

"I've worked with him before and coming back here will give the fans and the players a lift and maybe that is what we need."

Forest's play-off hopes suffered a blow on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to struggling Millwall and Lansbury insists they cannot give up on the fight for a top-six finish.

"We haven't given up on this season," he said. "We are just going to take it game by game because if we win and the other teams around us lose then we are right back in it.

"As you saw last year it went all the way to the final day, so you never know, hopefully we can nick it."