Nottingham Forest v Bristol City match panel

TEAM NEWS: Forest's match day squad will again almost select itself, with Dexter Blackstock (knee), Nathan Tyson (calf) and Julian Bennett (knee) all out injured.

James Perch and Joel Lynch are only likely to be fit enough for a place on the bench, where they are likely to be joined by Robert Earnshaw, as he recovers from his calf problem.

But manager Billy Davies may still shuffle his starting line-up, with former City player Dele Adebola pushing for a recall.

The Robins skipper and centre-half Louis Carey is likely to miss the visit to the City Ground after picking up a back injury.

Carey was subbed at half-time in the draw with Sheffield Wednesday after taking a painful knock.

If he does not recover it will leave Bristol with only two experienced central defenders, in the form of one-time Forest target Lewin Nyatanga and Jamie McCombe, although Cole Skuse is capable of moving across into the centre.

FOREST (from): Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Cohen, Garner, McKenna, Moussi, Anderson, McGoldrick, Adebola, Majewski, Chambers, Smith, Earnshaw, Lynch, Perch, McGugan, McCleary.

BRISTOL (from): Gerken, McCombe, Nyatanga, McAllister, Saborio, Elliott, Skuse, Johnson, Hartley, Sno, Maynard, Haynes, Sproule, Clarkson, Williams, Basso, Ribiero, Wilson, Carey.

DANGER MAN: Nicky Maynard.

The former Crewe striker is in fine form this season having netted ten goals already, including three in his last three games, helping the Robins to collect seven points.

With only one other player – midfielder Danny Haynes – having scored more than once in the league, Maynard's goals have been vital.

KEY MAN: Lewin Nyatanga. The Welsh international centre-half will have a key role in shackling Forest's front-line, whether it be the power of Dele Adebola or the guile of his international team mate Robert Earnshaw.