Dele Adebola is in line to make his first pre-season appearance for Nottingham Forest against Mansfield at Field Mill tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).

The big striker has made a quicker than expected return from injury and has been ear-marked to face the Blue Square Premier Division club.

But Wes Morgan, Luke Chambers and Kelvin Wilson will not be in contention for the trip to North Nottinghamshire or the game against Tranmere, which will take place at Prenton Park simultaneously.

Adebola was expected to miss the first month of pre-season after undergoing surgery because an old hernia repair had become infected.

But having returned to training this week, he has been pencilled in to play against Mansfield - although he will not play the full 90 minutes.

"We're hoping to get Dele part of the game at Mansfield," revealed manager Billy Davies.

"We're going to try and give as many of the other lads 90 minutes, which is why we have split the group between Tranmere and Mansfield."

The line-up for the game at Tranmere is expected to include, among others, Chris Gunter, Chris Cohen, Paul McKenna, Robert Earnshaw, Dexter Blackstock and Radi Majewski.

Heading to Mansfield will be Joel Lynch, who missed Saturday's game against Portuguese side S.C.O. Olhanense because of a slight back problem, Nathan Tyson, Paul Anderson and Guy Moussi. Morgan, Chambers and Wilson are all nursing strains, while The Reds are still without David McGoldrick (shoulder).

The squads for both games will also include Academy players, while Academy coaches will also have an involvement.

Davies explained: "Part of the exercise is to bring in the Academy first, second and third years, to integrate with the first team.

"And we will also be integrating Academy staff with the first team at both games to give them experience and the chance to gel."