CHRIS Cohen says he feels like a veteran in the Nottingham Forest dressing room – despite being just 21.

But the energetic midfielder plans to draw on the experience of already playing 180 games in his short career to help the players who are even younger than him.

After Nathan Tyson went off with a gash above his eye against QPR on Saturday, the average age of Forest's outfield players was just over 21.

But Cohen said that despite a team containing a 19-year-old and five 20-year-olds, they proved they were good enough by earning a 2-2 draw with high-flying Rangers.

Wes Morgan was the oldest outfield player after Tyson's exit, having turned 25 last month.

But Cohen believes there is plenty of experience in the young group for the team to draw on in the fight against relegation.

The former West Ham trainee said: "I feel like a veteran and I have to use the experience I have to help some of the younger lads along.

"We have to be men and rise to the challenge. We are playing because we deserve to be and we can't be overawed.

"But all the lads – however young – are so eager to do well.

"There are no prima donnas in this squad, no-one who comes into training and thinks they have a right to be in the team.

"It's that sort of attitude that will stand us in good stead in these next few games."

Forest's next three games see them make tough away trips to Birmingham and Ipswich before another home clash with local rivals Derby County a week on Saturday.

The loan window opened yesterday and Forest may look to boost the squad ahead of the weekend trip to St Andrews.

But while manager Billy Davies wants experience to help his injury-ravaged side, he reiterated that he will not be rushed.

He said: "It is not a case of just bringing people in, we have to bring in the right type. We have to make sure the group dynamic in the dressing room does not change.

"I have said before that if we can get everyone fit, there is no doubt in my mind that the players have the ability to keep us where we are."