BURTON Albion face their second away trip in just over a week as they travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest in the Sky Bet Championship tomorrow afternoon (3.00pm kick off).

HEAD 2 HEAD

Last season was the first time the two teams had met in competitive fixtures. The Brewers actually travelled to Forest on the opening day of last season, and narrowly lost 4-3 in front of 23,012 spectators. The reverse fixture had a different ending, as Cauley Woodrow’s free kick was enough to sink the visitors which ensured Burton Albion claimed all three points.

SEASON SO FAR

Mark Warburton’s side began the Championship campaign as an unknown quantity, and they lived up to that reputation with an up and down start to the season.

They won their opening game against Millwall, and advanced to the second round of the Carabao Cup after beating Shrewsbury Town before winning their third successive game by putting four past Brentford.

Forest lost out to Barnsley in the first midweek league game of the season but bounced back to beat Middlesbrough at the City Ground.

They currently sit 14th in the table with five wins, 0 draws and seven defeats.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST TEAM NEWS Mark Warburton has confirmed that David Vaughan is back in contention having recovered from injury, ex Brewer loanee Jamie Ward should be involved following his return at Derby County last weekend. Matty Cash is nearing a return but Jack Hobbs and Chris Cohen are both still injured.

BURTON ALBION TEAM NEWS

Nigel Clough is hoping that John Brayford can shake off a hamstring injury in time to face Nottingham Forest.

The defender has been sidelined since picking up the injury against Aston Villa on September 26.

Clough's only other injury worries are a trio of strikers - Joe Mason, Sean Scannell and Will Miller who is still struggling to shake off a hamstring problem.

MARK WARBURTON'S THOUGHTS

Warburton ahead of the tie told the Forest website: "They will come here on the back of a good performance against Bristol City, a tough place to go, where they picked up a good away point.

"They are resilient, hard-working, well-organised, determined and they have quality and pace and power up top. We have analysed them as we do with every other team in the league and we look forward to a tough encounter."

NIGEL CLOUGH’S THOUGHTS

Clough believes that Forest probably deserve more points than they currently have on the board.

He said: “They are playing well without getting the results. They have just missed chances. They had opportunities against Derby on Sunday and will be disappointed having lost to their local rivals. They will be looking to bounce back. Their strength will be at home this season.

“In the Championship it’s very fine margins and it wouldn’t take much for them to be challenging the top six.”

OFFICIALS

Keith Stroud will be the man in the middle for tomorrow’s game. The Hampshire-based referee has officiated four matches so far this season, and has handed out 21 yellow cards and three reds. Albion supporters will remember Mr Stroud from last season’s 1-0 defeat away to Newcastle United where the referee overturned a penalty decision.

Mr Stroud’s assistants will be John Flynn and Billy Smallwood with Karl Evans the fourth official.

TICKETS

Albion supporters have until 4PM today to purchase tickets.

The prices are as follows:

Adults: £25.00

Ages 65 plus: £5.00

Ages 12-17 years: £5.00

Ages 4-11 years: £5.00

The best way to buy tickets is online at www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/tickets. You can also phone 01283 565938 or call in at the club shop during normal opening hours.

Tickets will be available at the City Ground, cash only from the visitors tickets office which is located at the rear of the Brian Clough Stand.



Official coach travel is also available:

Departs: 12.30pm from the Pirelli Stadium (please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure) Price per seat: £8.50 Expected return time: 6pm approximately.