Nottingham Forest defender Michael Hefele is relishing the prospect of his first East Midlands derby against Derby County on Monday.

The two clubs are currently separated by just three points making this Monday's clash one of the most hotly anticipated for a while, and the German is looking forward to the derby atmosphere.

"Derby games are always special," Hefele told the Nottingham Post.

"The atmosphere can be hot and spicy, but this is what we like as players.

"We know it is a big, big, big game. The positions of the two sides in the table will add more to it as well."

Frank Lampard and his Derby side currently sit three points and three places ahead of Aitor Karanka's Reds, with 21 games played so far this season.

A win for the visitors at Pride Park, however, would see them jump above their hosts on goal difference.

Forest go into the match off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Preston North End at the City Ground, but that was the club's only defeat in their previous eight games and just their third of the entire season.

Hefele made the move to Forest from Huddersfield Town in the summer and has gone on to make nine league appearances so far this season.

The Verdict 

This is exactly what Forest fans will want to hear.

They do not want players who are going to shrink in the intense atmosphere, they want people who will embrace the magnitude and rise to the occasion.

It is all set up to be a fascinating encounter.

Thoughts? Let us know!