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The midweek magic displayed by Nottingham Forest in beating Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup will quickly be forgotten by the time Saturday comes around and they return to the bread and butter of league action.

Forest’s impressive display in beating Rafa Benitez’s Magpies was their most complete display in the opening month of the campaign, and they’ll hope to replicate it at Brentford in their final Championship outing before the international break with important points at stake.

The Reds travel to Griffin Park on the back of that impressive 3-1 success, but with doubts surrounding a couple of their key players.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

Both Sam Byram and Joe Lolley had been influential figures against the Toon Army, before being forced off with injury.

Lolley appeared to take a knock to his foot, while Byram’s injury appeared to be somewhat more serious and he must be considered a doubt for the game in west London, with Tendayi Darikwa likely to regain his place on the right side of defence.

Lewis Grabban and Hillal Soudani both sat the League Cup tie out with Achilles and knee problems respectively, so Aitor Karanka will be left sweating over their fitness with only Daryl Murphy left as the Reds’ main frontline forward following Ben Brereton’s departure to Blackburn.

The Reds boss still hopes to clinch a signing or two before today’s loan window deadline to boost his firepower options which are starting to look a little stretched.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

Elsewhere, Jack Robinson impressed at left-back, while Michael Hefele produced a man of the match performance in just his second start and will be deserving of a first Championship start this weekend.

In the middle of the park, Liam Bridcutt got his first minutes under his belt since the final day defeat at Bolton in May and did his chances no harm of keeping his place, with Jack Colback missing the Newcastle match due to the terms of his loan agreement.

Adlene Guedioura continues his recovery from a fractured cheekbone sustained against Wigan and the game is likely to come too soon for him.

As he’s done so often in recent weeks, Matty Cash’s introduction changed the game and he’ll hope to earn a recall, as will Ben Osborn.

(Image: Dan Westwell)

The Reds don’t have the best record against the Bees, losing five of their last six, though that solitary win did come in a 4-3 thriller at Griffin Park in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

Looking to remain unbeaten going into the break, here’s your chance to pick the starting XI you’d like to see face Dean Smith’s Brentford….