Rotherham United should be at full strength ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest, however, such is not the case for the latter. Ben Osborn, Andy Reid, Chris Cohen, Robert Tesche, and long-time sufferer Britt Assombalonga will all sit this one out, although, Daniel Pinillos has now been granted international clearance, meaning the left-back is now eligible to don the Forest colours for the first time following a draw-out process since his signing.

Every cloud has a silver lining then? Well, not exactly. Highly-rated Leicester City shot-stopper, Ben Hamer, had to return to his parent club due to complications with the transfer embargo Forest are obliged to obey, and he will not be returning. Although Forest wished Hamer to return, he completed a season-long loan to Bristol City instead, meaning the club will have to explore other avenues. Though, if Dorus de Vries’ save to deny Brighton this time last week is anything to go by, they won’t need to!

Lewis Buxton returns from injury for the Millers, and is in strong contention to take over the number two spot from Greg Halford after the former completed around 75 minutes in the first round of the Capital One Cup successfully, named as one of Rotherham’s stand-out performers, in fact. Halford, however, was at fault for two of the goals scored by MK Dons in their last outing which resulted in a 1-4 drubbing, and not in his sides favour. Steve Evans will want to avoid tinkering with his backline as much as he did last campaign but with Farrend Rawson back in training with the Reds, he may usurp the jersey from Danny Collins who all but scored an own goal last weekend also.

Both sides sit in a similar situation, both having been defeated in their opener, the home outfit humiliated further on Tuesday evening by Walsall, where they bowed out of the first round of the Capital One Cup. Morale in Dougie Freedman’s camp may be low but should he inform his squad that their visitors last won at the City Ground back in 1955, it could well lift their spirits! Steve Evans and co will look to take advantage of Forest’s poor start to life in the 2015/16 term though, with their cup fate much different to tomorrow’s opponents, putting in a much improved shift against Cambridge United, the goal-to-nil score-line doing its least to flatter Rotherham’s efforts.

Nottingham Forest v Walsall - Capital One Cup First Round

The City Ground will see its first second tier affair since the close season and towards the end of 2014/15 saw the club peak once more, regaining the form they once adopted when the campaign kicked off. They only failed to score once at their Nottingham-based hub when Freedman took over the reins, and if they can pick up where they left off, Evans’ defence could receive another workout.

On the other hand, it’s practically common law that striker, Matt Derbyshire, should come back to haunt his ex-employers, and it certainly looks that way, with the 29-year-old opening his account early doors. Unlike last season, when the Blackburn-born man bided his time in making the score-sheet, both sides alike are aware of what he can do when on a run with a confident spring in his step.

Rotherham United v Reading - Sky Bet Championship