Guy Moussi will miss out for Forest.
The midfielder suffered a thigh strain at Coventry in midweek. His absence is likely to give club captain Paul McKenna the chance to start a league game for the first time since November.
Paul Konchesky will be handed his home debut at left-back after making his first appearance during the win at the Ricoh Arena.
However, fellow new boy Robbie Findley must continue to wait for his debut due to a thigh injury he sustained in training this week.
Nathan Tyson missed the Coventry game with a back problem and the forward remains a doubt.
Forest are the form team in the Championship having taken 22 points from the last eight games, extending their unbeaten run at the City Ground to 33 league matches in the process.
Watford will hand a late fitness test to striker Marvin Sordell ahead of the game.
Sordell - who has scored 13 goals so far this season - missed the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek with a foot injury and will be checked over by manager Malky Mackay.
On-loan Aston Villa youngster Andreas Weimann took his place in midweek and scored so could partner Danny Graham regardless of Sordell's fitness.
Captain John Eustace made his return from a calf injury sustained against Portsmouth on New Year's Day to play against Palace and will keep his place.
Midfielder Ross Jenkins is struggling with a tight hamstring so is doubtful, while Scottish winger Don Cowie is still out with a thigh strain.
