Nottingham Forest will face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup this afternoon hoping to get their season off to a flyer.
Boss Sabri Lamouchi will perhaps have one eye on the Championship kick-off next weekend but nonetheless, a win today will still be on his mind.
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Forest will hope to start 2020/21 in decent fashion after the disappointment last season and the summer has been a positive one away from the pitch.
Six new players have arrived and some of those might get the nod to play this afternoon.
Here at Nottingham Forest News, we looked at the team which Lamouchi might call up this afternoon.
In goal and back four
Having signed a new contract this week, Jordan Smith will compete with Brice Samba for the role of being the first-choice goalkeeper this season.
The Congolese stopper is now over the knee injury that ruled him out of the last two games last season and he should start at Oakwell.
Forest’s first choice back four should be practically the same this season, with the exception of Matty Cash who has joined Aston Villa for £16 million.
His place is likely to go to Tendayi Darikwa, with the £1 million man likey to play his first game for 16 months if he gets the nod to start against Barnsley.
Yuri Ribeiro will probably play at left-back, with Joe Worrall and Tobias Figueiredo likely to operate in the centre of defence.
Midfield
Jack Colback has returned to the club following his release from Newcastle United at the end of last season.
Boss Lamouchi has confirmed that he’s in contention for the trip to Barnsley and he will perhaps get the nod to play.
Ryan Yates has been spotted wearing the captain’s armband during pre-season and although he might not perform that duty at Oakwell, he looks a decent bet to start the game.
Fouad Bachirou is another new signing who will also be in contention, although he might settle for a place on the bench.
In attack
Lewis Grabban does have some proper competition for his place this season following the signing of Lyle Taylor.
With one mind on the league beginning next season, the ex-Charlton man could get the nod to start against Barnsley, with Lamouchi opting to preserve Grabban for next week.
Behind him, there could be a reprieve for Forest’s club-record signing, Joao Carvalho.
Plenty of talk has been about the Portuguese magician during pre-season and he might earn a second chance to shine under Lamouchi.
On the left, Luke Freeman might be asked to do a job following his arrival from Sheffield United.
Joe Lolley is still struggling and might be saved for next weekend’s trip to QPR.
Sammy Ameobi registered nine assists last season and he could earn a place on the right-hand side of the attack in South Yorkshire.
Here is how Lamouchi’s team might look this afternoon…
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