Preview: Notts Forest v West Brom
By Jemma Tappenden
August 15 2009
West Bromwich Albion make their first away trip of the new season to East Midlands side Nottingham Forest. Both sides faced tough opening games last week, with West Brom achieving a 1-1 draw at home to recent and fellow Premiership relegated side Newcastle United. Forest gained a respectful 0-0 draw away to last season's promotion hopefuls Reading.
Forest's summer spending spree has raised the bar for the club in the Championship this year, who narrowly avoided relegation last season. West Brom who are amongst the favourites to gain promotion at the end of this season will be a second early test for Billy Davies, who remains hopeful that striker Nathan Tyson will be fit to start this afternoon despite being carried off with an ankle injury towards the end of the midweek cup fixture against Bradford.
Forest will be without the services of defender Luke Chambers, who is suspended. But both Robert Earnshaw and Chris Gunter should be available after returning from international duty with Wales.
West Bromwich Albion have no new injury worries ahead of today's game and gaffer Roberto Di Matteo looks set to include new midweek signing Jerome Thomas.
It has been five years since the two clubs last met in a league fixture, on that occasion in 2004 Nottingham Forest emerged as 2-0 victors at the Hawthorns.