Freya Thomas believes ambitious Nottingham Forest can make their Women's Super League dream a reality sooner rather than later. 

The former Leicester midfielder, 21, returned for a second spell last month after Forest's women's side adopted a hybrid professional model.

That switch gave the third-tier outfit access to the state-of-the-art facilities enjoyed by Steve Cooper's men's team and saw training intensify with the aim of securing a quickfire promotion to the Women's Championship.

But Thomas insists they can go even higher. 

She told LiveScore: "The club have massive ambitions and what they've set up this season can help us hugely in terms of trying to win the division.

"Women's football is very up and down, so to have that backing from a Premier League men's side is massive.

"As bad as it sounds, that's going to be the difference at tier three between being able to challenge for the title or not — that's just the way it is at the moment.

"Hopefully, we can make use of that support and really push forward long term on a great journey I can be a part of."

Hot start

Forest have made a perfect start in the FA WNL North this term with three wins from three and will fancy their chances of landing the title.

Yet with other like-minded clubs targeting a surge through the women's pyramid — including Sunday's opponents Burnley, who top the table — Thomas is convinced they will be pushed all the way.

She added: "There's quite a few good teams in our league. Burnley are a strong side.

"Wolves are a huge club, as are Newcastle, who have just gone into a full-time environment. It's not going to be easy. 

"We just have to keep winning our games — that's all we can do."

Having helped the Foxes seal promotion to the WSL for the first time in 2020-21, Thomas offers Forest crucial experience of playing at a higher level.

And though she still hopes to establish herself in the top tier one day, her priority is playing with a smile on her face.

She said: "Enjoyment is the most important thing for me now. That's why I came back to Forest.

"I feel comfortable here and it's a place I think I can thrive. 

"If I reach the top, great. But if not, I want to make sure I'm loving my football."