Team news

Trio in line for debuts Nottingham Forest are set to give debuts to three loans signings against Watford as they bid for a first home win in almost three months.

George Elokobi arrived from Wolves for the remainder of the season on Thursday and he looks likely to make his Reds bow along with fellow defenders Danny Higginbotham and Scott Wootton.

Higginbotham and Wootton, signed at the end of last month from Stoke and Manchester United respectively, were in line to make their first appearances for the club against east midlands rivals Derby on Sunday but that game was postponed because of the snow.

Full-backs Brendan Moloney (thigh) and Greg Cunningham (hamstring) are still not fit.

Forest are second from bottom of the npower Championship table and have lost nine of their last 11 league matches. Their last victory at the City Ground was a 3-2 triumph over Ipswich on November 19.

A minute's applause will take place before the game in memory of Forest owner Nigel Doughty who died last weekend.

Hornets boss Sean Dyche has no new injury or suspension problems to contend with.

The Hornets boss watched his side see off Millwall 2-0 before then claiming a 2-1 victory over Barnsley last weekend, and he is likely to stick with an unchanged XI for the third successive match.

The Hornets have not managed three consecutive victories for over a year, last season's winter surge of seven wins on the trot under former boss Malky Mackay the last time the Hertfordshire club experienced such a run.

Nottm Forest vs Watford

Last modified 17:22 11/02/12

Deeney salvages point for Hornets Troy Deeney's first-half header earned Watford a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on an emotional day at the City Ground.

A minute's applause was held before kick-off for Forest owner Nigel Doughty who died last weekend and it was the home side who dominated for long spells.

They deservedly went in front through Gareth McCleary's 25-yard strike before Deeney equalised a minute before the break.

Forest pressed in the second half and Chris Gunter was unlucky to see a volley hit the bar while John Eustace also crashed a shot against the woodwork.

The result ended Forest's six-match losing run in the league at home but they remained five points adrift of safety while Watford extended their unbeaten run to three matches.

Forest manager Steve Cotterill fielded a new-look back four with loan signings George Elokobi, Danny Higginbotham and Scott Wootton starting alongside returning captain Luke Chambers.

Watford went into the game looking for a third successive victory and manager Sean Dyche kept faith with the side that had started the previous two matches.

The home side started well and Ishmael Miller almost got through on goal from a Marlon Harewood flick on before Adlene Guedioura saw a shot blocked.

Forest fans had not seen their team score in the last seven home matches but with 19 minutes gone they had a goal to cheer when McCleary's 25-yard effort went in off the post to give the Reds the lead.

Forest immediately went in search of a second and Gunter was sent through but his lob over Scott Loach was cleared away.

Moments later, Miller also had a clear sight of goal only to see his shot well saved by Loach.

Watford responded and almost levelled when Jonathan Hogg's header found Eustace unmarked but his header was parried away by Lee Camp.

With a minute of the half remaining Watford drew level when Sean Murray's lofted free-kick was met by Deeney who headed past Camp.

Forest looked to have regrouped at the start of the second half and McCleary picked out Miller who fashioned some space for a shot but his effort was blocked.

Harewood also went close with a free-kick from 30 yards that had Loach scrambling.

The hosts went even closer to going back in front when Harewood picked out Gunter and his thundering volley cannoned off the crossbar.

Watford still looked dangerous themselves and Adrian Mariappa had a near-post header saved by Camp before Eustace saw a shot hit the bar.