Wolves v Forest preview

Forest must tame rampant Wolves

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 29th August 2008

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McCarthy: Unbeaten opening

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Wolves are flying after an impressive start, while Nottingham Forest appear to have settled.

Mick McCarthy's side currently sit second in the Championship table after an unbeaten start to the season.

Forest have looked solid in their opening games and picked up a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Watford last week.

However, with both sides having played at least 120 minutes in the Carling Cup in midweek, fitness could be a factor at Molineux.

Returning troops

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy hopes to welcome back a number of players for Saturday's clash.

Striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and midfielder Matt Jarvis are expected to return to the squad after missing the cup defeat to Rotherham on Tuesday due to slight foot and hip problems.

McCarthy is also expecting striker Sam Vokes to make a comeback after missing the trip to the Don Valley Stadium with an injury he picked up in training on Monday.

Andy Keogh will return to the squad after suffering a stomach upset during the first half of the cup game.

Wolves will be without full-back George Elokobi who suffered a knee injury during the game with Ipswich last weekend and could be sidelined for some time.

Meanwhile, defender Jody Craddock remains a long-term injury concern with a broken foot and is not expected to return to training for another three months.

Martin hope

Forest manager Colin Calderwood is hoping to have Lee Martin available for the trip to the Black Country.

The on-loan Manchester United forward was forced to miss the cup defeat to Sunderland on Wednesday with a calf injury but is expected to return against Wolves.

Defender Kelvin Wilson could also make his comeback after missing the last two games with a back spasm, but Calderwood must continue to cope with the absence of several first-team players.

Arron Davies remains sidelined with a calf injury, while Lewis McGugan is also out with a torn thigh muscle.

Long-term absentees Joe Garner (knee) and Paul Anderson (thigh) are also unavailable as Forest aim to record their second successive league victory.