Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Crystal Palace

Alex McLeish will take charge of Nottingham Forest for the first time when Championship high-fliers Crystal Palace visit the City Ground on Saturday.

It was confirmed on Thursday that the Scot would succeed Sean O'Driscoll, who was surprisingly sacked as Reds boss on Boxing Day.

A 4-2 victory over Leeds United moved Forest to within a point of the playoffs and McLeish may stick with the same XI that started O'Driscoll's final game as manager.

Dexter Blackstock is likely to continue ahead of Simon Cox in attack, but Lewis McGugan or Guy Moussi may return in midfield should McLeish opt for a more defensive system.

The hosts will be without injured duo Jermaine Jenas and Sam Hutchinson, but centre-back Daniel Ayala is available after completing his one-match ban.

Ayala's opposite number Damien Delaney will not feature for Palace though as he serves his own suspension.

Wilfried Zaha is expected to start for the Eagles, with some of the Premier League's elite reportedly monitoring his performances ahead of the January transfer window.

Recent form

Forest: WLDWLL

Palace: LDDDWD

Possible lineups

Forest: Camp; Hutton, Ward, Ayala, Collins; Cohen, Guedioura, Moussi, Lansbury; Blackstock, Sharp

Palace: Speroni; Moxey, Ramage, Gabbidon, Parr; Bolasie, Dikgacoi, Garvan, Jedinak; Zaha, Murray

Sports Mole says: 1-2