Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil has been struggling with a groin problem but may be asked to play because of their lack of other midfield options.
Emanuel Pogatetz and striker Chris Killen, recently back from injury, have been laid low by a virus and will both require late fitness tests.
MATCH PREVIEW
A win for Nottingham Forest would equal a longstanding club record of nine consecutive home victories in a season - a feat they achieved in 1953/54 and 1906/07.
It would also leave them three short of matching Brian Clough's Forest team of 1980, who won 12 home matches in a row over the course of two seasons.
The class of 2010 are third in the table and face a Middlesbrough side whose six-match unbeaten run came to an end at Blackpool on Tuesday night, when they lost 2-0.
Since slipping to 14th in the table, Boro have put themselves back into the thick of the play-off race. Forest remain in the race for automatic promotion and a win could take them back into the top two.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Forest have won 18 and Boro 17 of the 61 previous league matches between these clubs. There have been 26 draws.
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• Boro's last league trip to the City Ground was in March 1999, when they won 2-1. It was the club's first victory there in 13 visits.
Nottingham Forest
• Forest have scored 21 more league goals at home than away this season. It is the widest such disparity in the Championship.
• They have used only 22 players in the league this term - fewer than any other club in the division.
• The Reds have gone on to win all 13 matches in which they were leading at half-time.
Middlesbrough
• Boro have scored 13 more league goals away from home than at the Riverside Stadium this season.
• They have used more players than any other club in the Championship this term (37).
• The Teesside club has lost only one of the 16 league games in which they held the lead at half-time.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Middlesbrough 1-1 Nottm Forest (21 November 2009)
Boro scorer: Lita 5.
Forest scorer: Earnshaw 73.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport