Chris Hughton is hopeful of Scott McKenna being back available for Nottingham Forest against Birmingham City this weekend.

McKenna has been missing since the start of the month, picking up an injury in the aftermath of the home defeat to Swansea City.

He featured against Reading, but was replaced by Tobias Figueiredo at half-time due to his injury, and has been missing since.

In that time, Loic Mbe Soh has broke into the side and made his first couple of appearances under Hughton, starting against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall last week.

The former Paris Saint-Germain defender has made a positive impression, and has looked comfortable alongside Joe Worrall at the back.

Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, though, McKenna could be set to return to the matchday squad this weekend, with Hughton hopeful of the Scot returning from his spell on the sidelines.

He said: "We're hoping McKenna will train this week. We've got three more days training this week so we're hoping to have him back."

The Verdict

It will be interesting to see how Hughton handles this situation.

Mbe Soh has come in and barely put a foot wrong. He made a mistake which led to the goal at Millwall somewhat, but apart from that, he has looked impressive.

McKenna and Worrall is undoubtedly their best defensive pairing, though, and if he is fit, then he has to start.

It would be interesting to see how Mbe Soh reacts to potentially being dropped though.