YATES BACK TO BOOST REDS
AFTER a frustrating night in South Wales, Nottingham Forest will be looking to bounce back against Blackburn Rovers today.
They could welcome back midfielder Ryan Yates for the City Ground clash but will he come straight back into the starting lineup?
That is a dilemma for boss Chris Hughton as he looks to put the midweek 1-0 defeat to Swansea City behind him.
The Reds put in arguably their best performance of the season at the Liberty Stadium. For much of the game they were the better side against a team fighting for promotion. They had the chances to claim all three points and should have got a draw at least.
The midfield partnership of Cafu and James Garner worked particularly well against the Swans.
Yates has been a regular this term, but he may have to be patient when it comes to earning a recall.
Dropping either Cafu or Garner after Wednesday night would be harsh - unless the manager feels Cafu is in need of a rest as the fixtures begin to rack up again.
Hughton could also have a decision to make over Luke Freeman, who missed the last game after his wife gave birth. Joe Lolley will no doubt feel he did enough to keep his place in the line-up.
And who plays up front also presents a dilemma.
Lewis Grabban made his return from a hamstring problem against the Swans, but was left to rue a missed opportunity when the Reds broke three-on-one.
Dropping him to the bench after one game back would be a big call, but there is certainly a battle between Grabban and Glenn Murray over the starting striker spot.
That also seems to be the case at left-back, with Yuri Ribeiro and Gaetan Bong competing to be the first 11.
Ribeiro got his chance again last time out and generally did well, despite being out-jumped for what proved to be the winning goal.
It seems likely Hughton will again stick with the same back line, but Bong will continue to breathe down the Portuguese’s neck.
Predicted Forest 11: Samba, Christie, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro, Cafu, Garner, Lolley, Krovinovic, Knockaert, Grabban.