Richard Chaplow and Steve de Ridder should return to the Southampton squad.
Midfielder Chaplow was expected to play against Swindon in the Carling Cup last week having completed a three-match ban but he was sidelined with tendinitis.
Belgian winger de Ridder also sat out the 3-1 victory at the County Ground with a foot injury.
Dutch defender Jos Hooiveld may be added to the squad after completing his loan switch from Celtic.
Goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, centre-half Jose Fonte, midfielder Dean Hammond and strikers Rickie Lambert and David Connolly should be back in the starting line-up after being rested against Swindon.
Defender Dan Seaborne is still in hospital following an assault outside a nightclub last Friday.
Meanwhile, Guy Moussi is pushing for a place in the Forest starting line-up.
The French midfielder has yet to feature this season due to a calf injury but hit the comeback trail in a reserve-team game against Burton last month. And with two weeks full training now under his belt over the international break, Moussi is ready to return.
Manager Steve McClaren also hopes to be able to call upon Paul Anderson. The midfielder looks to have recovered from the calf problem that has restricted him to just two appearances so far this campaign.
Goalkeeper Lee Camp and right-back Chris Gunter have returned unscathed from their international exploits with Northern Ireland and Wales respectively.
Striker Joe Garner signed for Championship rivals Watford during the international break.
