Cardiff defenders Gabor Gyepes and Mark Kennedy and winger Chris Burke have all been ruled out with hamstring tears.
Paul Quinn also has a hamstring problem and is doubtful for Monday's game.
MATCH PREVIEW
Nottingham Forest have been invincible at the City Ground of late and victory against promotion rivals Cardiff would establish a new club record of 13 successive home league wins.
Forest equalled the previous best of 12 straight wins last time out in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. That record was set 30 years ago in 1980, when Brian Clough's side were one of the most feared in the country.
Opponents Cardiff look destined for the play-offs after cementing their place in the top six with 16 points from the last 18 available.
Saturday's dramatic 2-1 win against Swansea, courtesy of Michael Chopra's stoppage-time winner, means Cardiff will climb above Forest into third place if they win.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Nottingham Forest have not beaten Cardiff at the City Ground in five attempts spanning 36 years since a 2-1 win in April 1974. The visitors have won three of the five subsequent fixtures, with two draws.
• Forest are winless in eight games against Cardiff since a 3-0 victory at Ninian Park in November 1976.
Have your say on this game
Nottingham Forest
• Forest have won 15 and drawn one of their last 16 Championship matches at home. They have not lost a league game in front of their own supporters since Blackpool's visit on 19 September.
• Billy Davies has used fewer players in this Championship campaign than any other manager (22).
• Forest have not lost a game in which they opened the scoring this season (W19, D2).
• Rob Earnshaw and Chris Gunter both started their professional careers with Cardiff. If selected, Earnshaw will be playing on the eve of his 29th birthday.
Cardiff
• Dave Jones' side have won their last three Championship matches 2-1, against Crystal Palace, Leicester and Swansea.
• They have won five and drawn one of their last six Championship games.
• No club has won more away matches in this division than Cardiff's nine.
• The Bluebirds are yet to be involved in a goalless draw all season, winning on all 11 occasions in which they have kept a clean sheet.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Cardiff 1-1 Nottm Forest (1 November 2009)
Cardiff scorer: Bothroyd 63.
Forest scorer: McGugan 90.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport