Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has named his team to face Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.
The Reds are in action this evening for their second pre-season friendly of the summer as they build up to the Premier League campaign. They spent last week on an intense training camp in Spain, rounded off with a match against Coventry City at the Pinatar Arena.
A strong first XI started that game, including new signings Taiwo Awoniyi, Dean Henderson, Giulian Biancone and Moussa Niakhate. Cooper then changed almost his entire line-up for the second half, fielding a number of young and fringe players in a 3-1 defeat.
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Since then, Forest have added Omar Richards and Neco Williams to their ranks, to take their number of additions in the transfer window up to six. The duo are not involved against the Brewers, however.
Henderson, Biancone, Niakhate and Awoniyi do start, though. Cooper makes two changes to the team which started against the Sky Blues.
Neither Ryan Yates or Joe Lolley are included in the travelling party, with the latter having come off with a knock early on in Friday’s game. He was replaced at the time by Oli Hammond, who is in the starting line-up tonight, along with Cafu.
In front of goalkeeper Henderson, Joe Worrall and Steve Cook will link up with Niakhate in the back line. Biancone and Nicholas Ioannou will take up the wing-back spots.
Cafu and Jack Colback will make up the midfield, with Hammond joining Awoniyi and Lyle Taylor in attack. Cooper is expected to make a number of changes for the second half, just as he did last week.
There is less than a month to go before Forest’s opening fixture of the 2022/23 season. They play Newcastle United at St James’ Park on August 6.
Forest XI for first half: Henderson, Worrall, Cook, Niakhate, Biancone, Cafu, Colback, Ioannou, Hammond, Awoniyi, L. Taylor. Subs: Smith, Shelvey, Mbe Soh, Mighten, Ojeda, Panzo, D. Taylor, Larsson, Konate, Back, Harbottle, Donnelly.
Which of the summer signings are you looking forward to seeing play? Have your say in the comments below
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