Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Nottingham Forest

The relief was there for all to see at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Middlesbrough had gone almost two months without scoring a goal prior to the visit of Ipswich Town, but the Teesiders finally found the net after 12 hours and 14 minutes of waiting.

What's more, Danny Graham, who fired in both goals during the 2-0 win against the Suffolk side, had previously scored just once in 14 months.

As a result, there could well be some renewed confidence among the Boro squad for the visit of Nottingham Forest tomorrow night.

Boss Aitor Karanka made six changes to his starting lineup for the Ipswich match, but he is unlikely to make too many alterations on this occasion.

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos should keep his place in goal, while the recently-signed Lee Tomlin is expected to continue in an advanced role.

Meanwhile, Forest go into the match on the back of three successive defeats - the latest of which came at the hands of struggling Barnsley at the weekend.

Manager Billy Davies, who is still banned from the touchline, has a number of injuries to contend with. The likes of David Vaughan, Henri Lansbury, Jack Hobbs, Andy Reid, Eric Lichaj and Dexter Blackstock all have complaints and will play no part against Boro.

Also, the Tricky Trees have won just one of the last six meetings between the two clubs.

Recent form

Middlesbrough: DDLDLW

Forest: DWDLLL

Possible starting lineups

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos; Varga, Friend, Chalobah, Gibson; Omeruo, Leadbitter, Ledesma; Graham, Tomlin, Carayol

Forest: Darlow; Halford, Lascelles, Gomis, Fox; Jara, Moussi, Majewski, Mackie; Paterson, Henderson

Sports Mole says: 1-1