Nottingham Forest starting XI vs Crystal Palace with big Chris Wood decision and three new absentees

Nottingham Forest could be without injured stars Morgan Gibbs-White and Matz Sels when they return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace

The Premier League is back in a few days’ time, with Nottingham Forest looking forward to hosting out-of-form Crystal Palace at the City Ground.

It will be another good opportunity for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men to continue their promising start, by picking up three points against their 18th-placed opponents. That said, it might be the first time in the new campaign that the Portuguese coach has to do so without being able to call upon several of his regular starters at once.

Casting minds back to before the break, James Ward-Prowse was sent off. He will be suspended, whilst captain Morgan Gibbs-White and goalkeeper Matz Sels will both be injury doubts.

Now Forest do hold the benefit of waiting until next Monday night to play their first match after the break, giving them an extra two days over some rivals to help the hampered stars back to full fitness. But here Nottinghamshire Live takes a look at the scenario in its worse case, pondering who should start in the wake of key absentees.

If Matz Sels is unable to be called upon then Nuno is going to have to turn to Carlos Miguel for his full Premier League debut.

The 6’8″ goalkeeper, who signed from Corinthians for £3.4m in the summer, has only made one appearance for the club since his arrival as his Belgian team-mate has retained the confidence of his manager. Miguel’s outing was against Newcastle United in August’s Carabao Cup second round exit, during which he saved a penalty from Joelinton in the shoot-out.

Stability is going to be key if Forest are going to stay above the relegation fight, so with no injuries or suspensions impacting this department there seems little need to make any alterations from the quartet that started the draw at Stamford Bridge eight days ago.