The talented French forward has suffered a nightmare time with injuries since moving to Tyneside but has been back in training recently and will be given his chance to shine in the League Cup clash at the City Ground.
Alan Pardew has been fulsome in his praise of the player, who he feels has the X factor possibly lacking in Newcastle's play at present.
“Hatem is looking forward to it and he looks sharp in training,” said Pardew. “He will be knocking on the door and it looks like this team has goals already, so it will be nice to have him with us again.”
Despite off-field wrangles over a lack of transfer activity Pardew has guided his side to a solid start in the Premier League and will be looking to keep alive hopes of silverware against a Forest outfit surely short on confidence following their East Midlands derby defeat.