Nottingham Forest will be aiming to extend their unbeaten Premier League run when they go to Fulham on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Brennan Johnson’s goal to see off Leeds United last Sunday made it five games without defeat for the Reds in the league. They sit 13th in the table, six points above the relegation zone.
Retaining their top-flight status between now and May is the goal for Steve Cooper’s side, and the head coach has a number of players who can step up to help the team’s cause.
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Moussa Niakhate
After so long on the treatment table, news that the defender is back on grass comes as a welcome boost for Forest. They have been without the summer signing since August due to a hamstring injury and various setbacks.
He won’t be rushed back; Cooper will no doubt take a cautious approach over easing him in. But one way or another, the Reds will hope Niakhate can have a key part to play in the second half of the campaign.
The solidity Forest have developed will be crucial to their survival push. And in the few run-outs he managed - in pre-season and in the first couple of competitive games prior to being sidelined - the centre-back did well.
Jesse Lingard
Injury stopped the former Manchester United man in his tracks, just when he was getting going. After a slow start, he had begun to show what he can do before suffering a hamstring problem - with his first goal for the club, against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup, providing a platform to build on.
Lingard is yet to find the net in the league, however. Having overcome an Achilles’ issue to be named on the bench against Leeds, he will want to put that right in the coming games.
The Reds need as many players as possible to chip in with goals and assists. Lingard will want to play his part.
Gustavo Scarpa
It has been a positive start to life at the City Ground for the Brazilian. Being able to get to know his new teammates during the World Cup break was incredibly useful.
Scarpa has shown he can pick a pass and is handy with set-pieces. Getting used to the physicality of English football can take time, though.
The January addition has had some encouraging moments so far. The next step is to really stamp an influence on matches and, like Lingard, contribute to Forest’s attacking threat.
Chris Wood
The forward has had a quiet first two games since joining on loan from Newcastle United. It hasn’t helped that he has seen little of the ball, having to survive on scraps up front.
Wood has shown he can get goals before, though, and his experience can be a useful asset.
He provides a different option for Cooper in attack, but there is competition for a place in the team - particularly when Taiwo Awoniyi returns to fitness. Andre Ayew will be out to force his way into a contention, while the head coach also has Sam Surridge and Emmanuel Dennis to turn to.
It’s still far too early to write Wood off - it wasn’t so long ago that Awoniyi was coming in for some criticism before he found his feet. The 31-year-old is more than capable of stepping up.
Jonjo Shelvey
The deadline day addition hasn’t been able to show what he has to offer yet, so this isn’t about singling him out for being able to step up his performance levels. But he certainly has the ability to make a difference for the Reds.
His arrival seemed to divide opinion slightly, especially as it came at the expense of Lewis O’Brien, who has been left out of the 25-man squad and is awaiting the outcome of Blackburn Rovers’ appeal in their bid to clinch his signature. However, there’s no reason why Shelvey can’t prove any doubters wrong.
Pinning down a spot in midfield won’t necessarily be easy. His passing range has the potential to be of benefit in Forest’s bid to unlock defences, though.
Who do you think can step up for Forest in the second half? Have your say in the comments below
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