The midfielder completed his loan move to the City Ground on Friday, joining Nottingham Forest for a second time after a successful spell last season.
With Dougie Freedman being well aware of the player's qualities, Gardner is pitched straight into the Third Round clash against fellow Championship opposition.
Fellow newcomer Bojan Jokic is on the substitutes' bench while Chris Cohen is in the starting XI and is sure to get a huge reception from the Reds' faithful.