Captain Mark Hudson is a doubt for the Bluebirds.
The centre-back missed the 1-1 draw at Coventry in midweek because of a hamstring strain which he picked up in training, and he may not be fit enough to face Forest.
If Hudson does not recover in time, either Anthony Gerrard or Darcy Blake will fill in alongside Ben Turner at the heart of the Bluebirds' defence.
Otherwise, striker Rudy Gestede misses out as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem, but manager Malky Mackay has no new injury or suspension worries ahead of the game.
Mackay is looking to lead Cardiff to a seventh consecutive game unbeaten in all competitions.
Forest, meanwhile, have no new problems ahead of the trip to the Welsh capital.
Manager Steve Cotterill has four players returning from injury. Midfielders Paul Anderson (hamstring) and George Boateng, and forwards Garath McCleary (knee) and Dexter Blackstock (knee) got more minutes under their belts in a reserve-team game on Monday.
Anderson made his comeback as a second-half substitute during the thrilling 3-2 home win over Ipswich, but Cotterill is still mindful of nursing the quartet back into first-team contention.
If Blackstock features, he will be returning to the stadium where he was injured 12 months ago last weekend.
Former Forest striker Robert Earnshaw, who returned to Cardiff during the summer, could line up against the Reds.
