Nottingham Forest XI to face Birmingham City predicted as Lolley stakes his claim

Nottingham Forest moved up to fifth in the table as they made it nine league games unbeaten by seeing off Coventry City on Wednesday night.

Goals from Brennan Johnson and James Garner clinched a 2-0 victory to put the Reds in the play-off places. But after the final whistle, boss Steve Cooper had already turned his attention to his side’s next game.

Birmingham City are the visitors on Saturday, in the second of a City Ground double-header. And Cooper must decide whether to stick or twist when it comes to a winning team.

In midweek, he kept the same line-up which had thumped Blackpool 4-1 at the weekend. The fixtures are coming thick and fast, though, so there might be a case for making a few tweaks when the Blues come to town.

It would be a surprise to see a change made between the posts. Brice Samba kept his place against the Sky Blues, having come back into the team at Bloomfield Road.

Cooper spoke afterwards about wanting to keep momentum going. It’s doubtful he will want to chop and change the goalkeeping position again, if he can avoid it, in these final eight fixtures.

Further up the pitch, however, he might have a few headaches. A few players have been pressing their case for a starting spot.

Striker Lewis Grabban will hope he is getting closer to that, having made two substitute appearances now, following his recovery from injury. But Sam Surridge, too, looked lively from off the bench again.

It’s difficult to leave out Keinan Davis, given the form he is in - he was outstanding again in midweek, with a brilliant assist for James Garner’s goal. Cooper could consider playing Davis and Grabban together, however, with the latter in a deeper role.

And Joe Lolley also did his best to stake his claim to make the