Nottingham Forest's Premier League appeal against an imposed four-point penalty will be heard next week. Nuno Espirito Santo's side could move further clear of the bottom three if, like Everton, there is any sort of reduction when the outcome is made.

Forest became the second side to fall foul of the league's profitability and sustainability rules (PSRs) earlier this year. The Toffees were first and had their initial ten-point deduction cut down to six after an appeal.

Forest currently sit just one point above Luton Town in 17th. They are within another point of Everton ahead of an upcoming vital meeting between the two sides.

Sean Dyche's men are still waiting for the outcome of their second set of charges from the league over a two-point sanction imposed for going over he £105million allowed loss-making threshold for the most recent period. An outcome over that is not expected to be reached until close to the end of the season.

Forest's appeal is not expected to take longer than one day, the BBC report, and is set to be heard on Wednesday, April 24. That is just days before they face Manchester City. It is still yet unknown when the outcome will be decided though.

It has left the relegation battle in a state of limbo with clubs battling the drop uncertain as to just how the table will look come the end of May. Although Arsenal don't have to worry about this, and they have played Forest and Everton both home and away, Chelsea could be impacted.

Mauricio Pochettino's side crushed Everton 6-0 on Monday, taking full advantage of their visitors' precarious position and poor form. They also have to travel to Forest before the end of the campaign.

How Nuno's side deal with the uncertainty hanging over them could have a major impact on the title race with Pep Guardiola's side facing the possibility of not being top but with a game in hand when they make the journey to the City Ground on April 28.

City have their own financial charges waiting to be heard. Chelsea themselves are also under financial investigation for alleged breaches of rules under the Roman Abramovich administration.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are attempting to remain compliant with the PSRs as well as pushing on to bigger and better things under Mikel Arteta. That is likely to leave them needing to sell players this summer - expected to be homegrown academy stars - in order to raise funds along with their boosted accounts with Champions League prize and broadcast money.

Chelsea will also have to follow similar methods in order to comply. The Premier League rules are expected to move towards UEFA's squad cost control measures before long after pushback to the current PSR system and punishments.

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