Nottingham Forest will find Manchester United lying in wait when they belatedly resume their Premier League campaign next Tuesday.
Before that Nuno Espirito Santo’s men face Brighton in an FA Cup quarter-final that comes with the chance of a first appearance at Wembley since the play-off win over Huddersfield in 2002.
While the Reds will expend all their energies trying to book a return, Ruben Amorim will have an extra weekend to fashion his patched-up squad into a team capable of salvaging something from this most disappointing of seasons.
To that end the cavalry could be on the horizon, particularly in defence where Patrick Dorgu is set to return after serving a three-match suspension. Mason Mount is also up and running again.
Harry Maguire is also expected to make his comeback having been out for the last four weeks, including the win over Leicester City last time out – a game in which United were missing ten players, including Dorgu.
Ayden Heaven, who was carried off against the Foxes, is now out of a protective boot but it would be a huge surprise to see the young defender back fit a game later.
Kobbbie Mainoo, back-up goalkeeper Tom Heaton, Leny Yoro and the lesser-spotted Luke Shaw are all hoping to play some part in United’s run-in, if not actually at the City Ground.
As for Forest their biggest fitness concern is over Chris Wood who was forced off in his last match for New Zealand with what appears to be a bang to his side/hip.
Is the Brighton or Man Utd game more important? Let us know here
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.