Summer signings Jonathan Greening and George Boateng are set for their Forest debuts against the Tykes, while Andy Reid is poised to make his first league appearance for the Reds in more than six years.
American striker Robbie Findley could be in line to make his full home debut after a thigh injury restricted him to just two substitute appearances during the second half of last season.
Midfielder Chris Cohen is expected to line-up at left-back after performing admirably in the role during pre-season.
Long-term injury victims Dexter Blackstock and Gareth McCleary are the only players unavailable to new manager Steve McClaren, who returns to English club management for the first time since leaving Middlesbrough in 2006.
Barnsley manager Keith Hill has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from for his first competitive game in charge of the club.
Former Rochdale manager Hill, who replaced Mark Robins in June, will be without striker Andy Gray due to a long-standing hip problem, but has no other injury concerns.
Hill wasted no time in reshaping the squad he inherited at Oakwell and it will be a new-look side that lines up at the City Ground following the arrival of eight summer signings and the same number departing the club.
Midfielders Matt Done and David Perkins, striker Craig Davies, defenders Miles Addison, Jim McNulty, Scott Wisemen and Rob Edwards and winger Ricardo Vaz Te all hoping to make their competitive debuts for the Tykes.
Defender Bobby Hassell has been installed as club captain and is expected to start at full-back.
