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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

Taylor, Garner, Lolley - Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper faces big decisions against Fulham

Asked whether his substitutes had presented him with a selection headache for the next game, Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper gave a knowing look.

"It does,” he said at full-time against Bristol City. “That's always going to be the case. You're always going to be disappointing people.

"I'll only be honest, talk it through with players and pick the right team for what we think the game needs.”

The Welshman certainly has some big decisions to make when it comes to selecting his starting XI to face Fulham on Sunday. The Reds will be out to make it five victories in a row on the banks of the Trent.

Alex Mighten, Joe Lolley and Lyle Taylor all came off the bench and made an impact in the dramatic 2-1 success on Tuesday night.

The latter, in particular, really put his hand up to be in the first team for the weekend clash, with his stoppage time brace which clinched the three points.

It is a big call to make on who should lead the line, given Lewis Grabban has been in red-hot goalscoring form, netting a haul of five goals in eight matches. It would be harsh not to include Taylor after his midweek heroics, though.

Cooper has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes game to game, but he may well tweak his forward line against the Cottagers.

Both Lolley and Mighten also played their part in the victory over the Robins, putting pressure on Philip Zinckernagel and Brennan Johnson for a place in the team - with the head coach having said he is keen to find a way of getting more minutes for Mighten, in particular.

Just one change had been made to the side at Ashton Gate, as James Garner came in for Jack Colback.

Deciding which of the two gets the nod alongside Ryan Yates in midfield at the City Ground is another significant dilemma Cooper faces.

Colback was unfortunate to be on the bench last time out, but his teammate may benefit from a run of games as he tries to find the same kind of form he showed last season.

The back line is likely to remain unchanged, while Djed Spence and Max Lowe are almost certain to maintain their spots in the wing-back roles as part of the 3-4-3 formation.

Predicted Forest XI: Samba; Worrall, Figueiredo, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Lowe; Johnson, Taylor, Lolley.

What's your score prediction against Fulham? Have your say in the comments below

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