Selection headache for Reds boss

PLENTY OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE AS COOPER LOOKS TO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST THE POSH

NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Steve Cooper has some big decisions to make for his side’s clash against Peterborough United on Saturday.

After three successive draws, the Reds will be aiming to get back to winning ways at the City Ground.

They are unbeaten in six but, with five of those games ending all-square – most recently, Friday night’s goalless stalemate at West Bromwich Albion – Cooper is keen to start picking up more victories.

He will have Jack Colback available again for the weekend’s visit of the Posh, after the midfielder served a one-match suspension for his red card against Luton Town.

But the manager must decide whether to break up the partnership of Ryan Yates and James Garner, with the latter having done particularly well at The Hawthorns.

Braian Ojeda will also no doubt be in the mix, following an impressive debut against the Hatters.

The Paraguayan was named in the starting XI on that occasion, but was back on the bench in the West Midlands.

Cooper may move Colback to left wing-back, as he did against Luton, in the absence of the injured Max Lowe, or the Welshman could stick with Gaetan Bong after he started in that role against the Baggies.

Full-back Jordi Osei-tutu was due to link up with Forest on Monday, having completed his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury at parent club Arsenal.

It would be a surprise if the 23-year-old is ready to be thrown straight into the line-up, but Joe Lolley could also be an option of cover for Lowe.

The Reds reverted to a back three last time out, with Tobias Figueiredo linking up with Joe Worrall and Scott Mckenna.

It is a formation which has served them well recently, and while they struggled to create too many chances at Albion, they did stand firm defensively to keep a clean-sheet.

Lolley was on the bench on Friday, along with Lyle Taylor, as Cooper opted for Brennan Johnson and Philip Zinckernagel in support of Lewis Grabban.

He could choose to mix up the attack on the banks of the Trent, perhaps by starting Lolley or bringing Alex Mighten back in. PREDICTED FOREST XI: Samba; Worrall, Figueiredo, Mckenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback; Zinckernagel, Grabban, Lolley.*