Nottingham Forest 1 - 2 Burnley

Nottm Forest v Burnley: Preview

Updated: September 12, 2008, 12:42 PM UK

Joe Heath and Chris Cohen will battle it out to deputise for injured defender Julian Bennett when Nottingham Forest entertain Burnley.

Bennett has been ruled out for three games with a calf injury sustained in the 5-1 defeat against Wolves last time out and boss Colin Calderwood has hinted Heath and Cohen will come into contention to face the struggling Clarets.

Defender Kelvin Wilson has overcome a back injury and will be hoping to start, while striker Robert Earnshaw will be assessed by Forest's medical staff on his return from international duty with Wales.

Fellow forward Andrew Cole may face his former club after improving his fitness levels in recent weeks, but midfielder Lewis McGugan could be out for up to six weeks after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from a thigh injury.

Arron Davies (calf), Joe Garner (knee) and Paul Anderson (thigh) all remain stranded on the sidelines.

Burnley boss Owen Coyle will be without suspended winger Chris Eagles.

The former Manchester United trainee, who joined the Clarets in a summer move from Old Trafford, begins a three-match ban following his sending-off in the goalless home draw with Plymouth.

However, Coyle has an extra attacking option in the shape of striker Steven Thompson, who agreed a two-year deal at Turf Moor when joining on a free transfer from Cardiff shortly before the transfer window closed.

Thompson is set to partner Martin Paterson in attack as Coyle's men go in search of their first win of the season.

Paterson came on as a second-half substitute in Northern Ireland's goalless World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in midweek but is fit to line up at the City Ground.