Championship outfit Nottingham Forest will be looking to avenge their 3-0 drubbing at the hands of fierce local rivals Derby County, when the Reds return to the City Ground to take on Preston North End on Wednesday evening.

Forest were bitterly disappointing in Sunday’s hammering against a rejuvenated Rams side and French boss Philippe Montanier will need his players to put on a special performance under the City Ground lights this midweek.

The Championship can be an unforgiving league and a few bad results can see you spiral down the league table and the Reds will be desperately keen to stay afloat.

Preston North End have been in fine form this season and boss Simon Grayson has got his team playing some superb football, with the Lilywhites set to provide Forest with a stern test on Wednesday.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke looks at two players who must get the nod to start in Wednesday’s City Ground contest.

Hildeberto Pereira

The Portuguese winger has been one of Philippe Montanier’s better signings and his attacking presence was missed on Sunday against Derby.

The youngster struggles to get into games when utilised as a substitute and it looks like an obvious choice to hand Pereira a starting berth against Preston.

Pereira has an array of skills within his arsenal and he could be just the player Forest need to secure three points on Wednesday night.

David Vaughan

When Henri Lansbury withdrew from the Forest team to face Derby County the natural option was to include the Welsh defensive midfielder in the side.

For some bizarre reason, Philippe Montanier deemed it more appropriate to play Mustapha Carayol, with Vaughan seemingly way down the pecking order under the management of the Frenchman.

The veteran midfielder is a solid presence in the middle of the park for the Reds and he needs to start featuring more often, especially against the better sides in the division.

Given their decent form in the Championship it is unlikely that Preston will come to Forest to sit back and play for a point, making the inclusion of Vaughan even more important for the Reds.

Nottingham Forest fans, do you agree that these two players need to play on Wednesday evening? Who else should get the nod to play in the game against Preston North End? Let us know in the comments below!!!