McNulty has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since mid-August and is hoping to make his first league appearance of the season after returning to the bench as an unused substitute in the midweek draw with Crystal Palace.
Manager Keith Hill has no new injury or suspension problems but is still without leading goalscorer Craig Davies, who will be out until the middle of November with a hamstring injury.
Hill partnered Marlon Harewood up front with Chris Dagnall on Tuesday night, but replaced the latter after just half an hour with Matty Done, while teenage striker Danny Rose went on for the final 23 minutes.
Midfielder Stephen Dawson (ill) and defender Martin Cranie (ribs) could return to the squad, but Mido is nowhere near match-fit after a hamstring injury and Jim O'Brien (dislocated shoulder) and Toni Silva (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Daniel Ayala is a doubt for Forest. The on-loan Norwich centre-half had to come off just before half-time during the 2-2 draw with Blackpool on Tuesday night after suffering a hamstring injury.
Greg Halford, on the brink of suspension with four yellow cards to his name this season, hurt a shoulder at Bloomfield Road but he should travel to South Yorkshire.
However, fellow defenders Sam Hutchinson and Jamaal Lascelles are still unavailable due to a knee injury and bone bruising respectively.
Midfielder Adlene Guedioura will complete his two-match ban for the red card he received in the home victory over Cardiff.
Dexter Blackstock staked his claim for a starting place by marking his return from suspension with Forest's late equaliser against Blackpool in midweek.
