Boss Steve Cooper will be handed a timely boost next week, with full-back Jordi Osei-Tutu set to return to training at Nottingham Forest.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined since August, after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring issue which limited him to only a handful of appearances on loan at Cardiff City last term.
He returned to parent club Arsenal to undergo rehabilitation, but is now set to link up with the Reds on Monday.
And it comes as Forest are short of options at full-back, with the news Max Lowe faces up to two months out of action with a groin strain.
Selection plans
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says there will not be one specific replacement for injured defender Max Lowe.
Rather than looking for a long-term solution to the Sheffield United loanee’s absence, Cooper says a decision will be made game by game.
Jack Colback has been the preferred choice to step in at left-back, playing there when Lowe was ineligible to feature against the Blades, and again on Tuesday night in the 0-0 draw with Luton Town.
The midfielder, though, is ruled out of Friday night’s trip to West Bromwich Albion after his red card in midweek.
Ojeda verdict
Braian Ojeda has put himself “right in the mix” for a place in the Nottingham Forest team after his debut on Tuesday night.
Boss Steve Cooper was impressed with the Paraguayan, who was included in the starting XI against Luton Town for his first taste of English football.
Ojeda has had to be patient since his summer move to the City Ground, waiting for his opportunity as he adapted to living and working in a new country.
But he took to the Championship well, and served notice that he is ready to fight for a regular spot in the line-up.
Transfer talk
Nottingham Forest have been linked with a January move for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Haydon Roberts.
The versatile 19-year-old is a centre-back by trade, but is also capable of playing at left-back and in central midfield - which could provide a solution to a problem position for the Reds.
News that Sheffield United loanee Max Lowe faces two months out of action with a groin strain has left Forest very short of cover on the left side of defence.
Full-back is an area the Reds will look to strengthen in January, and Roberts is on their radar, according to The Athletic.
