Jack Hobbs says it is payback time for City when they meet Forest

Defender Jack Hobbs says Leicester City's clash with Nottingham Forest at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday is payback time after he suffered the heaviest defeat of his career against their East Midlands rivals.

The 5-1 thumping at the City Ground in December is a painful memory for the 21-year-old centre-back, who said: "We have a big point to prove on Saturday. We owe them one really."

Hobbs believes City are well-placed to redress the balance and keep their play-off mission on course after Tuesday's win at Doncaster lifted them into fifth spot.

Victory at the Keepmoat Stadium completed a punishing 900-mile trio of away games following draws at Bristol City and Plymouth, and Hobbs admitted: " I think you could see we were a little bit laboured.

"But we all dug in and got through and now it's important to prepare for Saturday."

City are unbeaten in seven games going into the Forest clash and Hobbs said: "We will be going into that with confidence and looking forward to it."

The former Liverpool man is also in exceptional form at the heart of a City defence which has tightened up since the Forest loss, although he is still concerned at the goals conceded.

"Personally, I am pleased," he said. "I just want to be really consistent. I am playing in front of Chris Weale, who is great, and next to Wayne Brown, who has so much experience, and I am trying to learn from every source I can.

"I am a bit disappointed we haven't kept a few more clean sheets if I am honest, especially after the last few games.

"Bristol was a late goal, Plymouth was frustrating, but to keep a clean sheet at Doncaster was very pleasing.

"I want to keep up the consistency of my performances now and have a good end to the season."

Weale was in spectacular form to ensure a shut-out after Martyn Waghorn had scored his seventh goal of the campaign to give City the lead.

"Chris has been absolutely outstanding for us," said Hobbs.

"He came out and made some great blocks, was really big and his communication was excellent, because he was always barking orders at us, which makes our jobs easier.

"He definitely deserves a pat on the back because he was outstanding and was probably the man who earned us the clean sheet.

"It was very important that we took advantage of that game in hand.

"If you looked at the table we had a couple of games in hand but we have to take the points, so to convert it takes a little bit of the pressure off.

"We can now make a final push and I think we have a good chance of making the play-offs."