Nottingham Forest have their play-offs semi-final against Sheffield United in their hands as they prepare for Tuesday night’s second leg.
The Reds hold a 2-1 advantage, after goals from Jack Colback and Brennan Johnson at Bramall Lane on Saturday. And boss Steve Cooper must now decide whether to stick or twist when it comes to his team selection.
There is a quick turnaround between the two games. However, the Forest head coach says he has no fresh injury concerns, with midfielder Ryan Yates available despite taking another whack to the shoulder which was already causing him some trouble.
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The big call facing the Welshman for the clash at the City Ground, though, is whether Keinan Davis is fit to start. And if he is, does he go into the starting XI?
The striker made his comeback from off the bench against the Blades, having been sidelined since last month with a hamstring issue. Cooper said afterwards: “It’s great to have him back, and good for him to get some minutes. He did some good things, as he does. Let’s see what he looks like for Tuesday.”
Davis had caused United all sorts of problems in the away league fixture in March. But fellow front man Sam Surridge grasped his opportunity in the absence of the Aston Villa loanee and Lewis Grabban, relishing the chance to get a run of games.
Clinical finishing has seen Surridge bag eight goals in 21 appearances in the Garibaldi, including netting a hat-trick against Swansea City in the last match at the City Ground. He could have got on the scoresheet on Saturday, too, and also made a brilliant clearance from off the line at the other end of the pitch.
Cooper is unlikely to make too many changes to his side. But other than Davis, Joe Lolley may feel he has put a case forward for inclusion.
The winger has found game time hard to come by for much of this term. However, he looked back to his old self at the weekend, setting up Johnson for the second goal with a great bit of determination to win the ball, followed by a surging run.
Forest go into the second leg looking to make the most of their terrific home form in 2022. They have lost just once on the banks of the Trent this calendar year - to Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Nevertheless, Sander Berge’s last-minute header ensured the tie remains alive. A trip to Wembley to face either Huddersfield Town or Luton Town awaits the winners, with a chance of securing promotion to the Premier League.
Predicted Forest XI: Samba; Worrall, Cook, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback; Zinckernagel; Johnson, Surridge.
