Bantams eye reinforcements

Bantams eye reinforcements

Published Nov. 16, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

Simon Cox is a concern for Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday's Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday at the City Ground.

Cox limped out of the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 friendly defeat to Greece in Dublin after an hour with a foot injury on Wednesday night and he will continue to be assessed by the club's medical staff.

However, midfielder Adlene Guedioura, who has been away on international duty with Algeria, is expected to be available against the Owls.

Daniel Ayala could come back into Sean O'Driscoll's plans after a four-match lay-off with a hamstring injury but fellow defender Dan Harding remains a doubt with a similar problem.

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Forest are without a win in three games since beating Barnsley 4-1 at Oakwell on October 27.

Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, will be without Chris O'Grady.

The Owls' five-goal leading scorer is struggling with an ongoing foot problem and will be sidelined for a fortnight, so Gary Madine will continue to lead the line, with Jay Bothroyd and Michail Antonio supporting in wider roles.

Manager Dave Jones has no new injury or suspension problems and is unlikely to make too many, if any, changes.

Paul Corry shook off an ankle injury in time to play the full 90 minutes in last week's defeat at Middlesbrough and is expected to resume in midfield alongside teenager Ross Barkley, on loan from Everton, and Jose Semedo.

Jones could be tempted to recall Martin Taylor to the centre of his defence as the Owls chase their second away win in the league this season.

Parkinson recently lost both central defenders Luke Oliver (Achilles) and Andrew Davies (knee) to season-ending injuries and has drafted in John Egan on loan from Sunderland to help fill the gap.

Winger Kyel Reid is already sidelined with a long-term groin injury and the Bantams boss was dealt more bad luck this week with news that defender James Meredith (hip) and striker Zavon Hines (ankle) could both require scans to determine the full extent of their injuries, while Stephen Darby is struggling with a groin strain.

Assistant manager Steve Parkin told the club's official website: "We have three cup games in December, plus six league matches. Nine matches in a month with injuries to Luke Oliver, Andrew Davies and Kyel Reid.

"With the other injuries we have around the squad at the moment, I think it is important to assess them in the next couple of days and if we have to strengthen, then we must do so."

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