Head coach Steve Cooper makes two changes to his Nottingham Forest starting line-up for tonight’s crunch clash with QPR.
The Reds host their fellow promotion-hopefuls at the City Ground in a big match at the top end of the Championship table. And they do so on the back of Saturday’s 4-0 thumping over Reading.
Keinan Davis hit a brace to help Forest on their way to three points at the weekend. Ryan Yates and Sam Surridge also got in on the act as the hosts ran out comfortable winners.
Read more: Live updates from Forest v QPR
Read more: Warburton points to Cooper's impact at Forest
But the victory came at a cost. Defenders Max Lowe and Steve Cook were both forced off against the Royals, and they are facing six weeks on the sidelines with groin and ankle injuries respectively.
It means Cooper has had to shuffle his pack for the visit of Rangers. The versatility of several players in his squad continues to prove a useful asset.
In Cook’s absence, Tobias Figueiredo comes into the side to join Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna in the back three. It is the first time the Portuguese has featured since the Boxing Day defeat at Middlesbrough.
Midfielder Jack Colback shifts to left wing-back to cover for Lowe, just as he did when the Sheffield United loanee was substituted on Saturday. Djed Spence retains his spot on the opposite flank, with Ethan Horvath continuing between the posts.
Yates, fresh from signing a new long-term deal, once again starts in the centre of the pitch. He will be partnered by James Garner, who had been utilised in a more advanced role against Reading.
Philip Zinckernagel had been left out of the squad last time out due to illness. But he returns to link up with Brennan Johnson and Keinan Davis up front.
Making up the substitutes’ bench are Brice Samba, Richie Laryea, Sam Surridge, Alex Mighten, Cafu, Xande Silva and Joe Lolley.
Prior to kick-off, Forest are ninth in the table, with the gap to the top six extended to four points after Tuesday night’s results. QPR are four places ahead of Cooper’s men.
- Get your free William Hill shop bet free and special Cheltenham Festival pull-out with your Nottingham Post every day from Tuesday to Friday this week. Follow this link for more details
Forest: Horvath, Worrall, Figueiredo, McKenna, Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback, Johnson, Davis, Zinckernagel. Subs: Samba, Laryea, Surridge, Mighten, Cafu, Silva, Lolley.
