Former Nottingham Forest star Steve Stone reckons he will win a third promotion to the Premiership this season - providing his loan move is made permanent.

Midfielder Stone was due to return to the Pompey side at Sheffield Wednesday tonight after recovering from his hamstring strain.

"We expect to win - but not 7-1," he admitted, referring to Forest's Premiership thumping of Wednesday at Hillsborough on April Fool's Day 1995.

It is the promotions to the top flight with Forest in 1994 and 1998 that Stone wants to repeat this season.

He said: "The scoreline that day was a one-off. I'd settle for 1-0 this time. We expect to win but the priority is to get the three points."

Stone, who won a championship medal in Forest's 1998 promotion, added: "We used to dominate games. We were a very solid team and, with Van Hooijdonk and Kevin Campbell up front, we scored lots of goals - but I don't think either of those Forest sides I played in had as many points at this stage of the season as we have at Portsmouth.

"This Portsmouth team is different. We score from lots of different areas and are more of a counter-attacking team which suits me down to the ground, I'd love to stay."

Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor has told Pompey that he is happy for 31-year-old Stone's present loan deal, which expires after next week's visit of Walsall, to be extended.

Stone, whose Villa contract is up at the end of the season, added: "Graham wants to give me the best possible chance to get my career back on track after three months of doing nothing - but going to Pompey would not be a backward step at all.

"I did not realise how big a club Villa were until I went there but, potentially, Pompey are equally as big. The fan base is definitely there.

"I've got another few years left in me and would love to help this club get where Villa are."

Stone was tipped to be switched from the right flank to a central midfield role with Nigel Quashie ruled out of today's game through suspension and Lassina Diabate (knee) struggling to be fit.

Stone added: "I've been on the losing side as many times as the winning team when I've gone to Hillsborough in the past. They were a good side in the nineties but, although they're struggling, they'll be up for this game.

"With a new manager (Chris Turner) in charge they'll be fired up. They need points badly and teams always up their game when you're the league leaders."

Kick off at Hillsborough is at 5.35pm.