Marvin Sordell and Ross Jenkins are doubts for Watford as they attempt to become the first side to win a league game at the City Ground for more than 16 months.

Scotland international Don Cowie remains on the sidelines due to a thigh problem, with Jenkins and Sordell joining him in the last week.

Jenkins failed a late fitness test with a tight hamstring prior to Saturday’s defeat and Sordell has been struggling with a toe injury he picked up against Brighton and Hove Albion.

“Don Cowie is certainly out for a while, well at least this weekend any way,” Watford boss Malky Mackay confirmed.

“We will give Ross Jenkins every chance to be involved at the weekend and Marvin Sordell is touch and go for the weekend.”

Forest have climbed up to fourth in the Championship after winning seven of their last eight league matches, drawing the other. And their home form is remarkable.

The Reds have not lost a league game at the City Ground since mid-September 2009. Apart from that defeat to Blackpool and the 4-3 loss to Ian Holloway’s men in the play-offs, the last team to beat Forest at home was Watford in the third game of the 2009/10 season.

Mackay said: “They have got a great record up there and it is going to be tough. They have an experienced manager and a squad who have been together a while with a lot of strength on their bench.”

There was some good news for Sordell this week though, after receiving his first international call-up for the England Under-20s squad to face France on Tuesday.

The game in Shrewsbury is the Under-20s’ first match of 2011 as they prepare for this summer’s World Cup in Columbia.

Mackay, who will also have Scott Loach away on England Under-21 duty next week, said: “I think it is just reward because he has worked ever so hard and because of his age and the fact he is scoring goals freely in the Championship, we absolutely see him on the radar of the Under-20s and possibly the Under-21s at some point. I am delighted he has received international honours and it is something he should be very proud of.”