Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton admits it has been “difficult” to get a chance to see how Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor could work as a strike pairing.
Grabban spent seven weeks on the sidelines with a hip problem, returning in last week’s victory over Sheffield Wednesday, when he came off the bench to clinch a 2-0 result.
He then started the following match at Millwall, with Taylor dropping to the bench, as Hughton continued to opt for a lone front man.
The Reds manager has previously said he wouldn’t rule out playing the pair together, although not for the time being.
And he is particularly focused on ensuring relationships develop at the other end of the pitch, as Forest look to tighten up at the back.
"With injuries it's always difficult. With two up front, we've not really had that chance to play two up front much,” Hughton said, ahead of his team’s Boxing Day clash with Birmingham City.
"It's also about a way of playing. With most teams, the shape managers look at is 3-5-2 if they want to play two upfront. It gives them that option to play two strikers.
“With regards to getting relationships (in training), it's probably more defensively.
"You always want to get that consistency in relationships because in other areas you are a bit more flexible."
The Reds welcome Blues to the City Ground on Boxing Day looking to make it three games unbeaten, as they hope a corner has been turned following a miserable run of form.
