Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United - Another early cup exit?

Goalkeeper Jordan Smith is unavailable through suspension, so former Sunderland man Costel Pantilimon will take his place between the sticks.

Centre-back Michael Hefele and is set to be handed a start in defence, although former Spurs captain Michael Dawson will face a late fitness test after missing the 2-2 draw with Birmingham at the weekend.

Sam Byram will be missing for Forest, so it is likely that Tendayi Darikwa will operate at right-back.

Adlene Guedioura is unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from a fractured cheekbone picked up in Forest’s 2-2 draw at Wigan. Ryan Yates or Liam Bridcutt will both be hoping to be given a chance to impress in the Algerian’s absence.

Jack Colback will not be able to play against his parent club.

New signing Gil Dias will be expected to start, along with El Arbi Soudani, who has impressed since his summer switch from Dinamo Zagreb. Record signing Joao Carvalho will likely be given a rest this time out.

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Aitor Karanka could also be without striker Lewis Grabban after he was also forced to sit out Saturday’s Championship game through injury. Another former Newcastle player, Daryl Murphy, is therefore likely to lead the line. The Irish striker proved very popular with Newcastle supporters during his brief spell with the club.

Rafael Benitez will head to Forest without slippee Jamaal Lascelles, who has been subject to intense speculation regarding training ground bust-ups with both players and the manager. Fabian Schär, Frederico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark will all be expected to receive some gametime.

Javier Manquillo is also missing after picking up an injury in the stalemate at Cardiff. DeAndre Yedlin is also likely to sit this one out, given the fact that he has only returned from injury himself. Jamie Sterry will therefore be fancying his chances of starting for the Magpies.

Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie, two of Newcastle’s most creative players, are also sidelined through injury, whilst Isaac Hayden is still serving a suspension.

Mo Diame and Ki Seung-Yeung both started against Chelsea on Sunday, and are both likely to play more minutes on Wednesday evening.

Kenedy is available again after being intelligible against his parent club and the Brazilian is in line to return to the XI straight away. Christian Atsu should also be given a chance on the opposite flank.

Sean Longstaff will be expected to make his Newcastle bow at the City Ground. Newcastle supporters are understandably excited to see one of their highest rated prospects in action for the first time in the senior team.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Yoshinori Muto will make his first start for his new club. The Japanese striker will be hoping to impress, especially given that Joselu has started the season in good goalscoring form.

Likely line ups

Forest: Pantilimon, Darikwa, Figuieredo, Fox, Robinson, Bridcutt, Osborn, Cash, Soudani, Dias, Murphy

Newcastle: Darlow, Sterry, Schär, Fernandez, Dummett, Ki, Diame, Atsu, Longstaff, Kenedy, Muto

Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Newcastle United

How to watch:

The match will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports, as well as NBC sports for our American readers and you can also follow along by tuning into BBC Radio Newcastle’s live commentary, courtesy of the official NUFC website.