Jamaal Lascelles: If I score for Newcastle against Forest, I'm DEFINITELY celebrating!

The defender will lead Newcastle United out at the City Ground tonight.

Lascelles was signed from Forest in a joint deal with Karl Darlow in the summer of 2014.

The pair were loaned back to the club for the 2014-15 campaign, which Lascelles has acknowledged was a difficult season for him personally.

Lascelles, handed the captain’s armband by Rafa Benitez in the summer, is uncertain of the welcome he will get from Forest fans on his return to the City Ground.

“I have a lot of memories there,” said the 23-year-old.

“I was there from eight and they brought me through the ranks. I don’t know how they will take me, boos or claps.

“If I score, I’m definitely celebrating.

“Obviously, when I signed for Newcastle I was loaned back to Forest and they didn’t give me the greatest of times during that year.

“It was a strange year. I was a Newcastle player, but I was playing for my old club and that was hard to get my head around. It will be nice to go back. Some of the boys I played with are still there.

“We can be friends off the pitch but on it they are my enemy.”

Championship leaders Newcastle, knocked out of the EFL Cup by Hull City on Tuesday night, were beaten by Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

That result ended a nine-game winning run.

The Blackburn loss saw second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion move within two points of United.

Lascelles feels it’s time to “make a statement”.

“We want to bounce back and make a statement,” said Lascelles.

“We have done a run, lost one, and gone on another run.

“I don’t want the fans to turn on us or the players to get their heads down. Everyone has to stay calm and stay positive.”