IT is safe to say tonight's team selection may have as much to do with the visit of Derby County to the City Ground on Saturday as it is a reflection of Nottingham Forest's desire to progress in the Capital One Cup.
Billy Davies will know that, if they can beat Burnley, there is a very good chance the Reds could land a tie against glamour opposition in the fourth road.
But his desire to secure that opportunity is likely to be outweighed by the significance of a game against their biggest local rivals.
Forest's priority this season is unquestionably their progress in the Championship, which has stuttered ever so slightly in the last two games, with a home draw against Middlesbrough and a 2-2 stalemate at Doncaster on Saturday.
The Reds are likely to see numerous changes to their starting-line-up at Turf Moor, in anticipation of the weekend.
But Davies made 11 changes in the second round of the competition, with Forest still managing to claim an extra-time win over Millwall.
And he will hope that some of his fringe players can again come into the side and stake their own claim for a starting place on Saturday.
Whatever Forest's starting XI, their biggest challenge will be to quell the firepower of an in-form Burnley.
Sean Dyche's squad does not have the depth to allow him to make 11 changes.
But that may be bad news for Forest, if they do come up against a strike partnership of Danny Ings and Sam Vokes that has already plundered 11 goals.
With Kelvin Wilson (back) unlikely to be rushed back from injury, Forest will select their central defensive partnership from Greg Halford, Jack Hobbs, Danny Collins and Jamaal Lascelles – with Hobbs the most likely to be rested.
While Dan Harding and Gonzalo Jara will want to take the chance to impress if given the chance at full back.
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