By Matthew Jones
July 31 2002

Newcastle United starlet Jermaine Jenas has paid tribute to his former club Nottingham Forest ahead of Wednesday's friendly clash. Newcastle United starlet Jermaine Jenas has paid tribute to his former club Nottingham Forest ahead of Wednesday's friendly clash.

Jenas made the switch to Tyneside as the most expensive British teenager in February, and Wednesday night's friendly at The City Ground was a part of the £5m deal.

Jenas said of the deal: "Everyone knows about the financial problems in the Nationwide League, and while Forest still have some trouble the money that they got for me helped them out.

"The pleasing thing for me was the fact they allowed me to leave with their blessing. They knew I couldn't turn down a club of Newcastle's size and never had any intentions of blocking me from going."

He also praised Forest's attitude regarding the switch, and their willingness to allow him to further his career. Speaking to the club's official website, he added: "They wished me all the best, and I'd love to see them do well next season. They have some good young players down there and I think they will."

He said: "I still get down to Nottingham as much as I can to see my family, and I'll always try and get to the games there if we aren't playing.

"I speak to lads like David Prutton and Jim Brennan quite a bit, and I'm looking forward to playing against them. They've already been on the phone trying to wind me up about the game, but I just tend to ignore them!"