Head coach Steve Cooper must grapple with something of a dilemma for Nottingham Forest’s trip to Hull City on Saturday.
It is the last game of the regular season. But for the Reds, there is little riding on the outcome, other than trying to secure third place - and that may well affect the manager’s team selection.
Tuesday night’s defeat at Bournemouth ended Forest’s automatic promotion hopes, leaving Cooper to prepare for the play-offs. When it comes to taking on the Tigers, he must decide whether to give some of his players a rest ready for the big challenges to come.
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The Welshman has generally stuck with a settled group this season, making few changes to his line-up week to week. And it would be no surprise if he stuck with that approach this weekend.
A completely different XI to the one which started on the south coast would be out of keeping with the way Cooper has gone about much of this campaign. He may want to give those same players a chance to bounce back from losing to the Cherries, to get back on the winning trail before the play-off fixtures.
It is a tough call between trying to get back momentum and perhaps giving some players a breather, however. Particularly as April was a hectic month - the Reds have played nine games in less than five weeks.
The Forest boss does have a few options if he does decide to make any tweaks. It could be an opportunity for some of those players who haven’t had many minutes of late to make an impact.
Defender Steve Cook was left with a bloody wound on the head against his former club in midweek. And he also revealed afterwards that his father had suffered a cardiac arrest prior to the match, being brought back to life by paramedics.
If he is left out against Hull, Tobias Figueiredo would be able to step into the back-three. Just as he did while Cook was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Cooper might also want to use Saturday’s clash as a chance to give Richie Laryea his full debut, after a few cameo appearances. Should the Reds face Middlesbrough in the play-offs, with Djed Spence unable to feature, the Canada international may find himself called upon then.
Jack Colback had been struggling with a knock prior to the 5-1 win over Swansea City. So there is the possibility of resting the former Newcastle United man, switching Spence to the left - as he did when Laryea came on at Fulham - and playing the January signing at right wing-back.
If Cooper wants to mix up his midfield, Cafu could come in for Ryan Yates or James Garner, with the former taking a knock to the shoulder against Bournemouth. And if he looks to do the same in attack, Joe Lolley and/or Alex Mighten would no doubt hope to feature.
Striker options are limited, with Keinan Davis and Lewis Grabban out of action. There is the possibility of just going with Brennan Johnson up top, or bringing in Alex Mighten, however, if it’s decided to wrap Sam Surridge in cotton wool.
Predicted Forest XI: Samba; Worrall, Figueiredo, McKenna; Laryea, Garner, Yates, Spence; Lolley; Johnson, Surridge.
