Martin O’Neill will name his first Nottingham Forest XI when they host Bristol City at the City Ground in a battle between two sides pushing for promotion.

The 66-year-old was named as Aitor Karanka’s successor, after the Spaniard left the club having asked for his contract to be terminated a week ago.

Forest are ninth in the table on 39 points, four off of the play-offs and two places below their opponents tomorrow.

Lee Johnson’s side are two points off Derby in sixth and are two points ahead of O’Neill’s men.

It is an important top-of-the-table clash for both teams with the host’s new manager looking to get off to the perfect start after the return to the City Ground.

And the former Republic of Ireland manager will be naming a team he considers good enough to overcome the Robins on their own patch.

With that said, here’s the Nottingham Forest XI that we expect O’Neill to field in tomorrow afternoon’s Championship clash at the City Ground:

It’s tough for a new manager coming in so close to a game, so don’t expect the Forest side to have too many changes

Costel Pantilimon is expected to stay between the sticks.

Jack Robinson should continue at left-back with Saidy Janko coming in for the suspended Tendayi Darikwa on the opposite side.

New signing Yohan Benalouane is expected to start ahead of another suspended player in Danny Fox, having had his move completed before the 12pm deadline on Friday afternoon.

He will be joined by Claudio Yacob, who should retain his place as the right-sided centre-half.

Jack Colback and Adlene Guedioura should hold the fort in the middle of the pitch.

Ben Osborn should be on the left of an attacking three with Matty Cash on the opposite flank.

Joe Lolley will be in the number ten role with Lewis Grabban expected to lead the line as the club’s top scorer.