Goalkeeper Lee Camp and full-back Chris Gunter will miss out for Forest.
Both players are away on international duty with their respective countries.
Camp has linked up with Northern Ireland ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands, while Gunter is in the Wales squad for a friendly against Australia.
Their absence could see Paul Smith get an opportunity in goal and Brendan Moloney line up at right-back against the club where he had a loan spell two seasons ago.
Defender Joel Lynch, midfielder Radoslaw Majewski and strikers Joe Garner, Marcus Tudgay and Robbie Findley are options for manager Steve McClaren should he wish to make changes.
The game at the City Ground will be the first competitive meeting between the two Nottingham clubs since 1994.
Notts County striker Lee Hughes will miss the Nottingham derby.
The 35-year-old scored County's final goal in a 3-0 opening-day win over Carlisle on Saturday before he was forced off with an ankle injury early in the second half at Brunton Park.
Craig Westcarr replaced Hughes and he could start against the club where he began his career.
Midfielder Alan Judge will have a late fitness test on the hamstring problem that ruled him out in Cumbria, but defender Stephen Hunt (ankle) and forward Ben Burgess (hamstring) remain sidelined.
The game at the City Ground, where County have not won since 1982, will be the first competitive meeting between the two Nottingham clubs for 17 years.
