Coleman aiming for UEFA Cup spot

Chris Coleman has urged his players to press their claims for a UEFA Cup spot ahead of tonight's fourth-round Carling Cup tie at Nottingham Forest.

"It's a good opportunity for us to get into Europe through this cup competition," said the Fulham manager. "Look at Middlesbrough, they are playing in Europe, they are at the right end of the league and they are playing with a lot of confidence because they won the Carling Cup."

Middlesbrough signed Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the summer, and Coleman is convinced that the prospect of UEFA Cup football was an incentive for both players.

"I think Steve McClaren would be the first to admit that one of the reasons he was able to sign the players that he did was that he could guarantee them European football," said Coleman.

Fulham will travel in buoyant mood following Sunday's 4-1 victory at Newcastle. In contrast, Forest have endured a torrid start to the season and are second from bottom in the Championship.

However, Coleman has warned his players against complacency. "The trend here is that we get a massive result like at Newcastle and then we fall away again. I want to make sure that doesn't happen," he said.