Wingers Bobby Convey and Glenn Little are both back from injury while veterans Martin Keown and Les Ferdinand are also pushing for a start.
Reading have recovered well from a poor run of form in the early part of 2005 and last week came from a goal down to win 2-1 away to leaders Sunderland.
Forest boss Gary Megson meanwhile is set to play skipper Gareth Taylor in central defence after his assured display there in the second-half against Sheffield United in midweek.