Capital One Cup specialist Nahki Wells has Nottingham Forest in his sights as he bids to beat an ankle injury to feature in tonight’s second-round showdown at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The 24-year-old strike star reached the final with former club Bradford City in 2013, when Arsenal and Aston Villa were beaten on the way to Wembley.

And he notched a first-round hat trick as Town won 5-3 after time at Chesterfield to set up the showdown with the Championship leaders (7.45), who are unbeaten in five matches this season and have won four of them.

Town, who have centre-back Murray Wallace available after successfully appealing his red card against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, are seeking a third win in five games under stand-in boss Mark Lillis.

They lost out on all three points against Charlton when the Londoners notched a stoppage-time equaliser. But Wells, who took a whack during the game, believes there was plenty to build on as Town aim to reach round three for a second season.

“We’re up against a tough side who have strength in depth,” he said.

“But we’re moving in the right direction, and I don’t see why we can’t give them a game.

Mark Lillis has really raised the spirits after a difficult start to the season, and we want to build some momentum.

“The fans responded to a hard-working display against Charlton, and we want to make our home advantage count tonight.”

Wells is one of a number of Town players to be assessed ahead of a game which will be settled by extra time and penalties if necessary.

Ex-Forest pair Joel Lynch (ankle) and Lee Peltier (groin) also face tests, as do Jonathan Hogg (calf) and Joe Lolley (hip).

Radi Majewski is ruled out under the terms of his Forest loan.

Stuart Pearce’s Forest squad includes former Town right-back Jack Hunt.