Laws chalked up four straight wins over Forest during his time as manager of Scunthorpe United although tonight will mark his first reunion with the club as manager of Wednesday.

If the Owls pick up three points it will also represent the club's best start to a season since being relegated from the Premier League eight years ago.

Laws, who made over 200 appearances for Forest under Brian Clough, said: "It is my old club and I had the best six years of my career there in the Nineties – but as a manager I have been successful against them.

"You try not to read too much into the league table until a quarter of the season has gone, but we are very pleased with our position (ninth) right now and the longer we can keep this momentum going, the more confidence we will gain."

Amid growing fears that the proposed takeover deal involving Geoff Sheard's consortium is on the brink of a collapse, Laws is acutely aware that the club's league position will be important in attracting fresh investors. The Lancashire-based businessman has not been allocated a ticket in the director's box for tonight's game – which could also be significant.

Laws said: "There may be an opportunity this season where an investor coming in will have a right go at it. From that point of view, staying in the top 10 is key to any future buying of this club and for the club as a whole."

Although both the Owls and Forest have endured hard times in recent years, Laws is adamant that both clubs still warrant a place among the elite of the English game.

"We both have pride, passion, a big set of supporters and we are based in a big city. Both clubs should be there," he said.

"Forest had a slump for a fair few years but (manager) Colin Calderwood has turned that around now and they are looking to kick on. They are not a club that is here to stand still – they have spent £2.5m on one player – so they are here to get back in the Premier League as quickly as possible.

"We want to do exactly the same," Laws stressed. "And with the right finances in place, this club can certainly take off."

Rob Earnshaw, the Forest player in question, will miss tonight's game with a hamstring injury but that only opens the door for another player on big money, former Manchester United striker Andy Cole, to start instead.

The Owls will be boosted by the return from injury of Mark Beevers but Laws is not saying whether the highly-rated young defender will start in the wake of Saturday's impressive win at Charlton Athletic.

Striker Francis Jeffers, meanwhile, is on standby to start his first game of the season because of concerns over both Jermaine Johnson and Wade Small who have picked up knocks.

Last six games: Owls DDWLDW, Forest LLLLDL.

Last time: Owls 2 Forest 0; December 26, 2002; Championship.

Referee: AP D'Urso (Essex).