Ishmael Miller is pushing for his full Forest debut as two former England managers go head-to-head at the City Ground.
Miller made his first appearance for the Reds as a substitute in Forest's first victory of the season at Doncaster on Tuesday night. The striker got another run out 24 hours later in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brighton.
The £1.2million signing from West Brom will hope he has done enough to force his way into McClaren's starting XI and could find himself partnering fellow new arrival Matt Derbyshire, who started at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Midfielders Paul Anderson (groin) and Guy Moussi (calf) remain on the sidelines.
In the opposite dug-out to McClaren will be the man he worked under before succeeding as England manager in 2006 - Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Darius Vassell's return from suspension should mean Leicester are at full strength.
Vassell has completed a three-match ban for his red card during the opening-day win at Coventry and, after back-to-back home defeats in his absence, the striker could go straight back into the starting line-up.
He will compete with teenager Jeffrey Schlupp, David Nugent, Steve Howard and Martyn Waghorn for a place in the side.
Record signing Matt Mills could also come back into the team after being named as a substitute for the midweek defeat to Bristol City. Midfielders Yuki Abe and Neil Danns are also options for Eriksson.
Ahead of the game, Eriksson said: "It is important now to lift up the atmosphere and go to Nottingham and have a result because that's what we need. It is always difficult to go away and play in a local derby. Maybe it is better to play away than at home because twice we haven't got the results at home."
