Jota's lucky pants and why Elanga is seeing red

PORTUGUESE WINGER TALKS ABOUT HIS SUPERSTITION

- SARAH CLAPSON

NOTTINGHAM Forest make the trip to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday (5.15pm) with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side will go into the game knowing they are only 90 minutes away from a possible trip to Wembley.

The tie marks the start of a big run-in for third-placed Forest, who have nine Premier League fixtures remaining to clinch qualification for Champions League football next season.

Here's the latest from my Forest notebook:

■ Lucky pants

Footballers can be a superstitious bunch at times. It seems Forest winger Jota Silva counts himself among that group and has his own particular matchday ritual.

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Record, the 25-year-old "joked" about the superstition of always playing in the same boxers.

He quipped that even if they rip, he would use them anyway! Asked what would happen if someone accidentally pulled down his shorts and ripped his boxers, Jota joked: "I don't even think about it. I hope it doesn't happen.

"I'll have to solve the problem somehow. If it's not too big a rip, I think I'll be able to play in my boxers like this!" The big focus for the wide man, though, is continuing to make his mark in English football after last summer's switch from Vitoria Guimaraes.

Prior to the international break, the Portuguese scored his third goal - and second in the Premier League - for the Reds when he found the net in the 4-2 win away against Ipswich Town. It was the 70th goal of his career.

"To be among the best league in the world is a dream come true," said Jota.

"I found a fantastic group of people, both human and professional.

"It wasn't difficult to adapt. I found a superstructured club that helped me with everything.