Keane, signed from Manchester United this week along with midfielder Jesse Lingard, was substituted as a precaution during the goalless draw at Bolton on Tuesday night after complaining of a tight hamstring.
He will continue to be assessed but manager Nigel Pearson is hopeful both Keane and Lingard will make their home debuts in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.
"Michael has had a good introduction to the Championship and this team but he had a tight hamstring so we decided to protect him," said Pearson. "If we have a player capable of going on and playing that position I don't see the point of risking a longer-term injury.
"I am sure both he and Jesse have enjoyed sampling the Championship. They played their part in a very good team performance at Bolton and, hopefully, we will see a lot more from them."
Left-back Paul Konchesky suffered a hamstring injury at the Reebok Stadium and is set to miss out against one of his former clubs. Zac Whitbread is available after suspension but the game will come too soon for fellow centre-half Sean St. Ledger (hamstring).
Nottingham Forest will check on the fitness of Jermaine Jenas ahead of the short trip.
Jenas has yet to feature in the squad since extending his loan spell from Tottenham nine days ago, missing the home games against Millwall and Middlesbrough with a foot injury.
Reds boss Sean O'Driscoll will continue to monitor the midfielder before finalising his preparations.
O'Driscoll has the likes of Brendan Moloney, Lewis McGugan, James Coppinger, Dexter Blackstock and fit-again duo Henri Lansbury and Marcus Tudgay available should he wish to make any changes to his starting line-up.
However, Radoslaw Majewski (knee), Sam Hutchinson (knee) and Daniel Ayala (hamstring) remain sidelined through injury.
