TEAMtalk

N Forest v Bristol City preview

Friday 06-April-2012 10:39

George Elokobi's return as a substitute last weekend means Nottingham Forest have no new problems for the visit of Bristol City.

Elokobi had missed the last five matches with a hamstring injury but the on-loan Wolves defender played the final few minutes of the 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace and comes back into the reckoning for a starting place.

Fellow on-loan defenders Scott Wootton and Danny Higginbotham, midfielder Lewis McGugan and forwards Marcus Tudgay and Ishmael Miller are also vying for recalls along with Elokobi.

Five victories and just two defeats in the last 10 Championship games have seen Forest edge clear of the drop zone.

Another win at the weekend would put a nine-point gap between Steve Cotterill's side and Bristol City, who currently occupy the final relegation spot.

Bristol City will face Nottingham Forest without the suspended Liam Fontaine.

Captain Fontaine was sent off during the home defeat to Watford on March 20 and serves the final game of his three-match ban.

However, manager Derek McInnes will be buoyed by the availability of Ryan McGivern, who has completed his one-game suspension.

Cole Skuse returned from a broken toe against Derby last weeked, but McInnes will continue to be without several other players.

Lewin Nyatanga is missing with an ankle problem and James Wilson is out for the season with an ankle knock of his own.

Midfielder Marvin Elliott (Achilles) and striker David Clarkson (ankle) have both been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.