This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Nottingham Forest head to the Liberty Stadium this weekend, to face a Swansea City side who sit on-top of the Championship table, two points clear of second placed Charlton Athletic.

Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways, after a 1-1 draw against Preston last time out and will have to decide whether midfielder João Carvalho is ready for a starting XI return, having made his first start of the season from the bench last-time out.

So should Carvalho return to the Forest starting XI against Swansea this weekend?

We discuss........

George Brooks

"Nottingham Forest have made a positive start to the new season under Sabri Lamouchi, but it'll be a tough game for them against Swansea at the weekend and they'll want their best players fit.

"I think Carvalho should start. He's a top player and he's got the ability to change games. If he's fit, I think he deserves to be in the team every week.

"He looked a bit rusty in his first game back against Derby which was to be expected but he played well off the bench in the last game against Preston and produced a moment of quality to set up the equaliser for Adomah.

"He's had a couple of weeks to get himself up to speed and should be ready to go. I think he's got to start at the weekend."

Josh Cole

“After missing Forest’s opening six fixtures of the season due to injury, Carvalho has since featured as a substitute on two occasions.

“Impressive in both outings, the midfielder has already registered a goal and an assist for the Reds and thus it may be worth Lamouchi bringing him into the starting eleven against Swansea City on Saturday.

“Whilst the Reds have not exactly struggled in Carvalho’s absence, he would unquestionably add some extra quality to their midfield.

“Although Alfa Semedo is expected to keep his place following a superb start to the season, Tiago Silva may be the man to make way for the 22-year-old at the weekend.”

Toby Wilding

"I'd be tempted to start him.

"Having come through substitute appearances in Forest's last two games before the international break, Carvalho himself is likely to be expecting a return to the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

"With those two weeks of training now behind him, he should be fresh and close enough to match fitness to back himself to play a significant role on Saturday.

"Carvalho showed last season that he has the ability to produce the sort of moments that can change games in Forest's favour, and they may need him to do so again against a Swansea side who have been so impressive in taking an early lead in the Championship standings this season.”