Nottingham Forest handed injury boost ahead of Leeds United showdown with key man set to return

Nottingham Forest have been handed an injury boost with key midfielder Samba Sow expected to feature against Leeds United this weekend.

The Whites make the trip to the City Ground on Saturday evening in front of the Sky Sports cameras as second takes on fourth in the Championship with just four points separating the two teams.

Sabri Lamouchi picked up the division's manager of the month award for January on Friday but did see his side lose 2-1 at Birmingham City last time out.

Marcelo Bielsa, meanwhile, has picked up just two wins in United's previous nine outings.

Forest midfielder Sow looks set to be fit having missed the defeat to the Blues with boss Lamouchi revealing he was back in contention for selection.

“All players are available for the game,” he revealed.

“Samba Sow is an important player. Of course with him or without him, it is not the same performance - sometimes with a good, sometimes with a bad result at the end.

“If he is in, he will play. If he feels good, he will play. If not, I trust the others and we will try to find the best option.

“I don’t want to find excuses for the game against Birmingham.

“When we face some problems, we need to find a solution. That was the case when Samba Sow was out for more than two months (with injury)."

New signing Nuno da Costa could make his debut with the striker having joined the Tricky Trees on deadline day while winger Adama Diakhaby is pushing for a first start after featuring in Forest's last two matchday squads since making the move from Huddersfield Town.

“He (Costa) has had the week with us and had training sessions with us, so maybe,” Lamouchi added.

“He can play in different positions, as a winger and a striker. He can play with (Lewis) Grabban, or he can play as just the striker.

“He is a different option and has a different profile. It was important to sign players like him.”

Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips remains out as he serves the final game of a three-match ban but defender Barry Douglas is available having returned to training this week.

Bielsa admitted new addition Jean-Kevin Augustin needs fitness work while midfielder Adam Forshaw remains the Whites only long-term absentee.