Nottingham Forest will be attempting to continue their solid form of late when Stoke City arrive on Trentside this weekend.
The Reds defeated table-topping Sheffield United last time out and the aim now is to go on a winning run.
Lewis Grabban was the matchwinner last weekend and despite Stoke boasting several top performers there really is no side in the Championship for the Reds to fear.
Ahead of another hotly-anticipated Championship fixture, Seat Pitch’s Lee Clarke previews the visit of the Potters
The City Ground | Kick-off: 15:00 | Referee: Oliver Langford
Team News
The Reds will welcome back midfielder Jack Colback who is available for selection following suspension.
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Doubts still remain over Hillal Soudani with the Algerian likely to miss out again this weekend.
Striker Daryl Murphy is progressing well following a virus and could make the bench.
Stoke will have James McClean available despite an ongoing review from the Football Association over his conduct on social media.
McClean’s availability is crucial as Tom Ince is ruled out. The former Forest man has undergone hernia surgery this week.
Mame Diouf and Erik Pieters have trained this week and should be available for selection.
Likely Line-Ups
Forest (4-2-3-1): Pantilimon; Darikwa, Dawson, Figueiredo, Robinson; Yacob, Guedioura; Dias, Carvalho, Lolley; Grabban
Stoke City (4-3-3): Butland; Edwards, Williams, Shawcross, Martins-Indi; Woods, Allen, Etebo; McClean, Afobe, Berahino
Match Preview
Forest fought valiantly against a red-hot Sheffield United last weekend and more of the same in the way of commitment will be required on Saturday.
It was perhaps the Reds’ best battling performance of the campaign against the Blades and former Derby boss Gary Rowett will be desperate to get one over a set of fans that see him as a pantomime villain.
Aitor Karanka spent well during the summer transfer window and his squad of players have started to show their promotion credentials in recent weeks.
Since losing at the City Ground in the League Cup back in September, Rowett’s men have lost just once in the Championship.
After relinquishing their Premier League status last season the 2018/19 campaign started poorly. Slowly, but surely, they are starting to adapt to life back in the Championship under Rowett’s influence.
City’s squad is still boasting several top players and you do get the sense that they will be right in the mix for promotion at the end of the season.
One to Watch
It would be foolish for Forest to have their eye on just one of Stoke’s squad but Joe Allen looks like a standout performer.
Following relegation, it seemed nailed on that the Welsh midfielder would depart for another top flight club. The 28-year-old showed his class, by opting to stick with Stoke and attempt to lead a charge back to the Premier League.
The midfield battle looks like being an intriguing one this weekend and thwarting the threat of Allen will go a long way towards the Reds securing all three points.