Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth preview - Freedman could stick

Posted Tuesday, February 24, 2015 by PA

Nottingham Forest have no new problems as they prepare to host title-chasing Bournemouth.

Reds boss Dougie Freedman, unbeaten in his four matches in charge - winning three - might be tempted to name an unchanged starting line-up after seeing his side beat his former club Bolton 4-1 at the City Ground on Saturday.

Defenders Michael Mancienne and Kelvin Wilson, midfielder David Vaughan, winger Jamie Paterson and striker Matty Fryatt are options for Freedman but if any changes are made they are likely to be kept to a minimum.

Midfielder Henri Lansbury will continue as captain in the absence of the injured Chris Cohen (knee), Andy Reid (groin) and Jack Hobbs (hamstring).

Bournemouth will wait on the fitness of winger Matt Ritchie before naming their squad.

The former Swindon man has missed training this week with a muscle injury in a leg and he looks set to face a fitness test ahead of kick off with Ryan Fraser on standby to replace Ritchie if needed.

The Cherries are also without the influential Harry Arter as the midfielder is serving the second game of a two-match ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards this season.

But better news for boss Eddie Howe is the return to full fitness of striker Tokelo Rantie. The South African has overcome a shoulder injury and returned to training with his Cherries team-mates ahead of the trip.