Brown puts faith in new signing Koumantarakis to end Preston's period of frustration

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by West Ham United, Nottingham Forest expected to be kicking their heels this afternoon. But, after Preston North End agreed to play the First Division fixture frozen off two weeks ago, Paul Hart's players instead have a chance to improve their promotion prospects.

Preston's hopes of bettering last season's eighth place have suffered a series of blows lately, Craig Brown enduring the frustration of seeing his side slip from 12th place to 18th on a run of six defeats in seven matches, his team selections hampered by a series of suspensions and injuries.

Particularly damaging have been the injuries to the strikers Ricardo Fuller and Richard Cresswell, who had shared 17 goals before the Jamaican Fuller was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering cruciate ligament damage at the end of November. With Cresswell subsequently sustaining a hamstring injury, Brown has been scouring the market for a new front man.

His search ended this week with the signing of the Greek-born South African international George Koumantarakis on loan from Basle and the former Scotland coach believes the 6ft 4in 28-year-old is capable of turning Preston's fortunes around. "George is an experienced, powerful target man who will give us a new dimension," Brown said. "He has a very good touch, is excellent in the air and he is a goalscorer."

Brown felt Preston were unlucky to be restricted to a point at the City Ground in August and now take on a Forest side deprived of their 37-year-old captain Des Walker, who is ruled out with a torn thigh muscle. It means the rookie centre-back Michael Dawson will have the Scottish Under-21 international Chris Doig alongside him as Koumantakaris makes his Preston debut.

The strikers David Johnson and Jack Lester return after suspension, although Preston welcome back no fewer than five banned players.

Elsewhere, second-placed Oldham meet third-placed Crewe in the Second Division's match of the day, with the on-loan Leeds goalkeeper Danny Milosevic set to start for the Railwaymen. Fourth-placed Cardiff, away at bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield, will jump into second place should they win and their two promotion rivals draw. Leaders Wigan attempt to record a 12th straight win away to Swindon, while Bobby Gould makes his debut as Cheltenham manager at home to Chesterfield.

The Third Division leaders Hartlepool, having extended the gap at the top to five points, will hope for further gains at Cambridge United. If they are to stay in touch, second-placed Rushden cannot afford to stumble away to Oxford United.