Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest have not had an easy return to life in the top flight. The Premier League newcomers have spent the vast majority of the campaign fighting at the bottom of the division, despite 30 new additions at the City Ground.
The Tricky Trees have shown some positive signs throughout the course of the campaign, particularly on home soil. However, their dismal away record is something Leeds United will be looking to capitalise on.
Forest head to Elland Road with midfielder Ryan Yates absent having picked up a shoulder problem in the defeat to Newcastle United before the international break. Cooper is also facing a late decision on right-back Serge Aurier and midfielder Gustavo Scarpa who are doubts for the game tonight.
Both players sat out the 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend, in a result that moved them a point clear of the Whites. Forest are also expected to be without Chris Wood, Dean Henderson, Willy Boly, Scott McKenna, Omar Richards and Giulian Biancone, all of whom are absent with long-term injuries.
Speaking to NottsLive, Cooper said: "Serge is still recovering. We’ll give him every chance to be available for tomorrow night. But we haven’t decided on that one yet,” said Cooper.
“Apart from that, we’re as we were before the Wolves game. A couple of lads returned at the weekend, and it was great to get them back on the pitch.
“We’ve got a few boys back who have been out injured for a little while, obviously we’ve picked up a few in recent weeks, so it’s a mixed bag in terms of availability. We plan accordingly. We’ll see, we’ll give everybody a chance.
“Yatesy will definitely not be available, because of his shoulder injury. The other guys, we haven’t ruled in or out yet. We’ll see how the land lies tomorrow.”
Nottingham Forest predicted XI: Navas, Williams, Felipe, Niakhate, Lodi, Mangala, Freuler, Danilo, Johnson, Dennis, Gibbs-White.
READ NEXT:
Nottingham Forest hoping for triple injury boost for crunch Leeds United clash
Javi Gracia will have his stab at solving Leeds United's three-season-old problem
Javi Gracia provides Leeds United injury update ahead of Nottingham Forest clash
Wolves handed hefty FA fine for Leeds United antics after 4-2 win
Nottingham Forest's dismal away record ahead of crucial Leeds United clash
