Portsmouth's Liam Lawrence up for Steve Cotterill return

Lawrence joined Portsmouth permanently from Stoke in January

Portsmouth captain Liam Lawrence says he hopes former manager Steve Cotterill gets a good reception when he returns to Fratton Park on Saturday.

Cotterill will be in the visitors' dugout as after moving to the City Ground last month.

Midfielder Lawrence, 29, was made Pompey captain by Cotterill and says the club have a lot to thank him for.

"I hope he gets a good welcome because he saved the club from extinction at times," Lawrence told BBC Radio Solent.

Lawrence signed for Pompey in September 2010 on an emergency loan, joining the club permanently in January.

It was emotional when he went and I'm sure it was a very tough decision. It will be good to see him and will be interesting

He was later made captain and says he is looking forward to seeing his former boss.

"When I came to the club we had two points and we ended up with 58. He didn't do a bad job on marbles," said Lawrence.

"He brought me here and we had a good year together, and obviously he made me captain, which I'm very proud of.

"It was emotional when he went and I'm sure it was a very tough decision. It will be good to see him and will be interesting."

Lawrence also wishes Cotterill all the best in his new role at the City Ground.

"He did a fantastic job here, you can't hide that, but he felt it was time to move on and we all wished him the best," added Lawrence.

"I hope he does well there because he is a good guy and was a good manager.

"He's gone to a good club in Forest, but he's left a good club here and I'm sure the owners will pick the right man and we have to move on."