Defenders Loic Mbe Soh and Jordi Osei-Tutu face lengthy spells on the sidelines, in an injury blow for Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.
The latter has featured just twice since making the move on loan from Arsenal in the summer.
He suffered a hamstring problem in only his second appearance for the Reds, against Blackburn Rovers last month - a recurrence of the issue which hampered him last season - and has been out of action since.
It had been hoped he was close to a return, with former manager Chris Hughton having previously said he was “a few weeks away”.
Midfielder verdict
Boss Steve Cooper has backed James Garner to bounce back from a slow start to his second Nottingham Forest loan spell and play an “integral” role this season.
The Manchester United midfielder proved a big hit for the Reds in the second half of last term, having initially been at Watford before making the move to the City Ground.
Forest had to fight off some stiff competition to secure his services again, having made him a primary target in the summer.
The 20-year-old hasn’t quite got going yet this time around, though, and was brought off with 20 minutes to go in Wednesday night’s victory at Barnsley.
Pundit prediction
Championship pundit Benjamin Bloom believes Nottingham Forest will be upwardly mobile under Steve Cooper and says the Reds are blessed with plenty of talent.
Bloom was speaking on the League of 72 podcast in which the Reds' prospects were discussed.
Forest secured their first win under Cooper on Wednesday night with a fine 3-1 win at Barnsley as they came from behind to seal all three points.
The Reds are now looking to follow that up by beating Birmingham on Saturday as they look to climb towards the comfort of mid-table.
Selection dilemma
Substitutions and a change of formation turned the game in Nottingham Forest’s favour on Wednesday night.
Steve Cooper’s tweaks from the touchline worked wonders as the Reds came from behind to beat Barnsley 3-1 - claiming the Welshman’s first victory since taking charge.
But he now has a dilemma as Forest prepare for their final game before the international break.
Cooper had started with the 3-4-3 formation which had been so effective in the team’s previous two outings.
