Nottingham Forest v Leeds United: Clayton confident Leeds have heart to respond to setback

The Elland Road club are back in action tonight at Nottingham Forest and looking to banish the memory of Saturday’s derby defeat to Barnsley.

It was the second home game that Leeds have lost in November, the first coming when Blackpool romped to a 5-0 victory.

United responded to that thrashing by claiming back-to-back victories on the road at Leicester City and Burnley, and Clayton is looking for a similar response at the City Ground tonight.

He said: “It is good to have a game so soon after Saturday. As a team, we always seem to bounce back after a setback.

“Just look at what happened after the Blackpool game, we went to Leicester and beat a very good team 1-0. That shows what this team is all about.

“It is important not to get too down after a defeat. This is a division where teams beat each other all the time.

“The key is how you respond and I think we can take heart from how we respond to setbacks.”

Simon Grayson has Darren O’Dea back available after suspension, while he could also opt to bring Danny Pugh back in on the left side of midfield as United look to cement their place in the play-off places.

Clayton added: “The season is pretty much what I was expecting. We have acquitted ourselves very well so far, certainly in most games.

“We are fifth and I am sure most Leeds fans would have taken that after 18 games.

“If we can keep ourselves in and around the top six all season then we have a real chance of doing something.

“Our away form has been brilliant, probably the opposite to last year when we got most of our points at home.

“We have won four out of five now and we want to build on that at Forest.”

Last six games: Nottingham Forest WLWLWL, Leeds United LDLWWL.

Last time: Nottingham Forest 1 Leeds United 1; August 15, 2010; Championship.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).